2,5-aryl-thiazole analogs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is concerned with 2,5-amino-thiazole compounds that are capable of activating NF-κB signaling. The present disclosure is also concerned with methods of using these compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders such as, for example, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer&#39;s disease, Parkinson&#39;s disease, spinal muscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vascular dementia, Huntington&#39;s disease, mental retardation, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and neuromuscular disorders such as, for example, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2019/032658, filed on May 16, 2019,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/673,112,filed on May 17, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive, andincurable neurodegenerative disease. It affects adults 40 to 60 years ofage with an incidence of 2:100,000. ALS causes irreversible degenerationof motor neurons, which is accompanied by paralysis of voluntary muscleleading to respiratory failure. Death occurs within 5 years on averagefrom diagnosis. Abnormalities of the cytosolic enzyme CuZn superoxidedismutase (SOD1) and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) arecentral to the disease pathogenesis. Mutations in critical regions ofSOD1 have been identified in familial ALS (f-ALS), while conformationaldefects have been identified in sporadic ALS (s-ALS). Transgenic animalscarrying high copy number of mutated SOD1 develop a disease similar tohuman ALS humans. A common feature of ALS is mitochondrial malady due tothe excess of ROS and/or the localization of the mutated SOD1 in theouter mitochondrial matrix. SOD1 functional defect and its repercussionson mitochondrial health have led us to hypothesize that SOD2, aninducible mitochondrial enzyme, but spared in the disease, could betargeted to devise a novel approach to ALS treatment. Expression of SOD2in the brain is uniquely controlled by NF-κB p65 activation.

Neuronal non-cytokine-dependent p50/p65 nuclear factor-κB (the primaryNF-κB complex in the brain) activation has been shown to exertneuroprotective actions. Thus, neuronal activation of NF-κB couldrepresent a viable neuroprotective target. However, despite thisdiscovery, the development of potent and selective small moleculeactivators of NF-κB has remained elusive. Thus, there remains a need foragents capable of strengthening NF-κB signaling and methods of makingand using same.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purpose(s) of the invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, the invention, in one aspect, relates tocompounds and compositions for use in the prevention and treatment ofneurological disorders such as, for example, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, spinalmuscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vascular dementia,Huntington's disease, mental retardation, and attention deficit andhyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and neuromuscular disorders such as, forexample, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Disclosed are compounds having a structure represented by a formulaselected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

Also disclosed are compounds having a structure represented by aformula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Also disclosed are compounds selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising atherapeutically effective amount of at least one disclosed compound anda pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising atherapeutically effective amount of at least one compound selected from:

and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurological disorderin a subject, the method comprising the step of administering to thesubject an effective amount of at least one disclosed compound.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurological disorderin a subject, the method comprising the step of administering to thesubject an effective amount of at least one compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neuromuscular disorderin a subject, the method comprising the step of administering to thesubject an effective amount of at least one disclosed compound.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neuromuscular disorderin a subject, the method comprising the step of administering to thesubject an effective amount of at least one compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in a subject,the method comprising the step of administering to the subject aneffective amount of at least one disclosed compound.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in a subject,the method comprising the step of administering to the subject aneffective amount of at least one compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in at least onecell, the method comprising the step of contacting at least one cellwith an effective amount of at least one disclosed compound.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in at least onecell, the method comprising the step of contacting at least one cellwith an effective amount of at least one compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derived neurotropicfactor signaling in a subject, the method comprising the step ofadministering to the subject an effective amount of at least onedisclosed compound.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derived neurotropicfactor signaling in a subject, the method comprising the step ofadministering to the subject an effective amount of at least onecompound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derived neurotropicfactor signaling in at least one cell, the method comprising the step ofcontacting at least one cell with an effective amount of at least onedisclosed compound.

Also disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derived neurotropicfactor signaling in at least one cell, the method comprising the step ofcontacting at least one cell with an effective amount of at least onecompound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are kits comprising at least one disclosed compound andone or more of: (a) at least one agent associated with the treatment ofa neurological disorder; (b) at least one agent associated with thetreatment of a neuromuscular disorder; (c) instructions foradministering the compound in connection with treating a neurologicaldisorder; (d) instructions for administering the compound in connectionwith reducing the risk of a neurological disorder; (e) instructions fortreating a neurological disorder; (f) instructions for administering thecompound in connection with treating a neuromuscular disorder; (g)instructions for administering the compound in connection with reducingthe risk of a neuromuscular disorder; and (h) instructions for treatinga neuromuscular disorder.

Also disclosed are kits comprising at least one compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and one or more of:(a) at least one agent associated with the treatment of a neurologicaldisorder; (b) at least one agent associated with the treatment of aneuromuscular disorder; (c) instructions for administering the compoundin connection with treating a neurological disorder; (d) instructionsfor administering the compound in connection with reducing the risk of aneurological disorder; (e) instructions for treating a neurologicaldisorder; (f) instructions for administering the compound in connectionwith treating a neuromuscular disorder; (g) instructions foradministering the compound in connection with reducing the risk of aneuromuscular disorder; and (h) instructions for treating aneuromuscular disorder.

While aspects of the present invention can be described and claimed in aparticular statutory class, such as the system statutory class, this isfor convenience only and one of skill in the art will understand thateach aspect of the present invention can be described and claimed in anystatutory class. Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no wayintended that any method or aspect set forth herein be construed asrequiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly,where a method claim does not specifically state in the claims ordescriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it isno way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holdsfor any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including mattersof logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow, plainmeaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, or thenumber or type of aspects described in the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several aspects and together withthe description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A-D show representative data demonstrating that compound nos. 1and 2 induced SOD2 expression and activity.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show representative data demonstrating that compoundnos. 1 and 2 do not effect inhibitory κB expression levels and areneuroprotective in vitro.

FIG. 3A-C show representative data demonstrating that compound no. 1 andcompound no. 2 show potential efficacy in the SOD1 G93A transgenic modelof ALS.

FIG. 4 shows the chemical structures of compound no. 1 and compound no.2.

FIG. 5 shows representative data demonstrating that derivatives ofcompound no. 2 induce SOD2 mRNA expression.

FIG. 6 shows representative computational models illustrating proposedinteractions between critical residues of p65 and novel compounds.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show representative dose response curves forcompound nos. 33 and 3, respectively.

FIG. 8 shows representative staining of neuromuscular junctions tovisualize structure and reconstruct images with confocal microscopy.

FIG. 9A-D show representative data demonstrating experience with theSOD1 G93A transgenic mouse model and identification of early markers fordisease progression.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B show representative data demonstrating compoundmotor action potential amplitude and responses to nerve stimulationreveal nerve dysfunction in the SOD1 G93A transgenic mouse.

FIG. 11 shows representative data demonstrating single-moleculefluorescent in situ hybridization (SM-FISH) to localize and quantifySOD2 expression to motor neurons.

FIG. 12 shows a representative outline of an experimental plan fortarget engagement.

FIG. 13 shows a representative outline of an experimental plan forefficacy in the SOD1 G93A mouse model.

FIG. 14 shows a representative pipeline for the synthesis, testing, andselection of novel compounds.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the invention. Theadvantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means ofthe elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention and the Examplesincluded therein.

Before the present compounds, compositions, articles, systems, devices,and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood thatthey are not limited to specific synthetic methods unless otherwisespecified, or to particular reagents unless otherwise specified, as suchmay, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only andis not intended to be limiting. Although any methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, example methods andmaterials are now described.

While aspects of the present invention can be described and claimed in aparticular statutory class, such as the system statutory class, this isfor convenience only and one of skill in the art will understand thateach aspect of the present invention can be described and claimed in anystatutory class. Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no wayintended that any method or aspect set forth herein be construed asrequiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly,where a method claim does not specifically state in the claims ordescriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it isno way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holdsfor any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including mattersof logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow, plainmeaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, or thenumber or type of aspects described in the specification.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. Thedisclosures of these publications in their entireties are herebyincorporated by reference into this application in order to more fullydescribe the state of the art to which this pertains. The referencesdisclosed are also individually and specifically incorporated byreference herein for the material contained in them that is discussed inthe sentence in which the reference is relied upon. Nothing herein is tobe construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitledto antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, thedates of publication provided herein may be different from the actualpublication dates, which can require independent confirmation.

A. Definitions

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a functionalgroup,” “an alkyl,” or “a residue” includes mixtures of two or more suchfunctional groups, alkyls, or residues, and the like.

As used in the specification and in the claims, the term “comprising”can include the aspects “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of valuesdisclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as“about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. Forexample, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is alsodisclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particularunits are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

As used herein, the terms “about” and “at or about” mean that the amountor value in question can be the value designated some other valueapproximately or about the same. It is generally understood, as usedherein, that it is the nominal value indicated ±10% variation unlessotherwise indicated or inferred. The term is intended to convey thatsimilar values promote equivalent results or effects recited in theclaims. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations,parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and neednot be exact, but can be approximate and/or larger or smaller, asdesired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off,measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those ofskill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter orother quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether ornot expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about” isused before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes thespecific quantitative value itself, unless specifically statedotherwise.

References in the specification and concluding claims to parts by weightof a particular element or component in a composition denotes the weightrelationship between the element or component and any other elements orcomponents in the composition or article for which a part by weight isexpressed. Thus, in a compound containing 2 parts by weight of componentX and 5 parts by weight component Y, X and Y are present at a weightratio of 2:5, and are present in such ratio regardless of whetheradditional components are contained in the compound.

A weight percent (wt. %) of a component, unless specifically stated tothe contrary, is based on the total weight of the formulation orcomposition in which the component is included.

As used herein, “IC₅₀,” is intended to refer to the concentration of asubstance (e.g., a compound or a drug) that is required for 50%inhibition of a biological process, or component of a process, includinga protein, subunit, organelle, ribonucleoprotein, etc. In one aspect, anIC₅₀ can refer to the concentration of a substance that is required for50% inhibition in vivo, as further defined elsewhere herein. In afurther aspect, IC₅₀ refers to the half maximal (50%) inhibitoryconcentration (IC) of a substance.

As used herein, “EC₅₀,” is intended to refer to the concentration of asubstance (e.g., a compound or a drug) that is required for 50% agonismof a biological process, or component of a process, including a protein,subunit, organelle, ribonucleoprotein, etc. In one aspect, an EC₅₀ canrefer to the concentration of a substance that is required for 50%agonism in vivo, as further defined elsewhere herein. In a furtheraspect, EC₅₀ refers to the concentration of agonist that provokes aresponse halfway between the baseline and maximum response.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

As used herein, the term “subject” can be a vertebrate, such as amammal, a fish, a bird, a reptile, or an amphibian. Thus, the subject ofthe herein disclosed methods can be a human, non-human primate, horse,pig, rabbit, dog, sheep, goat, cow, cat, guinea pig or rodent. The termdoes not denote a particular age or sex. Thus, adult and newbornsubjects, as well as fetuses, whether male or female, are intended to becovered. In one aspect, the subject is a mammal. A patient refers to asubject afflicted with a disease or disorder. The term “patient”includes human and veterinary subjects.

As used herein, the term “treatment” refers to the medical management ofa patient with the intent to cure, ameliorate, stabilize, or prevent adisease, pathological condition, or disorder. This term includes activetreatment, that is, treatment directed specifically toward theimprovement of a disease, pathological condition, or disorder, and alsoincludes causal treatment, that is, treatment directed toward removal ofthe cause of the associated disease, pathological condition, ordisorder. In addition, this term includes palliative treatment, that is,treatment designed for the relief of symptoms rather than the curing ofthe disease, pathological condition, or disorder; preventativetreatment, that is, treatment directed to minimizing or partially orcompletely inhibiting the development of the associated disease,pathological condition, or disorder; and supportive treatment, that is,treatment employed to supplement another specific therapy directedtoward the improvement of the associated disease, pathologicalcondition, or disorder. In various aspects, the term covers anytreatment of a subject, including a mammal (e.g., a human), andincludes: (i) preventing the disease from occurring in a subject thatcan be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed ashaving it; (ii) inhibiting the disease, i.e., arresting its development;or (iii) relieving the disease, i.e., causing regression of the disease.In one aspect, the subject is a mammal such as a primate, and, in afurther aspect, the subject is a human. The term “subject” also includesdomesticated animals (e.g., cats, dogs, etc.), livestock (e.g., cattle,horses, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.), and laboratory animals (e.g., mouse,rabbit, rat, guinea pig, fruit fly, etc.).

As used herein, the term “prevent” or “preventing” refers to precluding,averting, obviating, forestalling, stopping, or hindering something fromhappening, especially by advance action. It is understood that wherereduce, inhibit or prevent are used herein, unless specificallyindicated otherwise, the use of the other two words is also expresslydisclosed.

As used herein, the term “diagnosed” means having been subjected to aphysical examination by a person of skill, for example, a physician, andfound to have a condition that can be diagnosed or treated by thecompounds, compositions, or methods disclosed herein.

As used herein, the terms “administering” and “administration” refer toany method of providing a pharmaceutical preparation to a subject. Suchmethods are well known to those skilled in the art and include, but arenot limited to, oral administration, transdermal administration,administration by inhalation, nasal administration, topicaladministration, intravaginal administration, ophthalmic administration,intraaural administration, intracerebral administration, rectaladministration, sublingual administration, buccal administration, andparenteral administration, including injectable such as intravenousadministration, intra-arterial administration, intramuscularadministration, and subcutaneous administration. Administration can becontinuous or intermittent. In various aspects, a preparation can beadministered therapeutically; that is, administered to treat an existingdisease or condition. In further various aspects, a preparation can beadministered prophylactically; that is, administered for prevention of adisease or condition.

As used herein, the terms “effective amount” and “amount effective”refer to an amount that is sufficient to achieve the desired result orto have an effect on an undesired condition. For example, a“therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount that issufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic result or to have aneffect on undesired symptoms, but is generally insufficient to causeadverse side effects. The specific therapeutically effective dose levelfor any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factorsincluding the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder;the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health,sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration; the route ofadministration; the rate of excretion of the specific compound employed;the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or coincidentalwith the specific compound employed and like factors well known in themedical arts. For example, it is well within the skill of the art tostart doses of a compound at levels lower than those required to achievethe desired therapeutic effect and to gradually increase the dosageuntil the desired effect is achieved. If desired, the effective dailydose can be divided into multiple doses for purposes of administration.Consequently, single dose compositions can contain such amounts orsubmultiples thereof to make up the daily dose. The dosage can beadjusted by the individual physician in the event of anycontraindications. Dosage can vary, and can be administered in one ormore dose administrations daily, for one or several days. Guidance canbe found in the literature for appropriate dosages for given classes ofpharmaceutical products. In further various aspects, a preparation canbe administered in a “prophylactically effective amount”; that is, anamount effective for prevention of a disease or condition.

As used herein, “dosage form” means a pharmacologically active materialin a medium, carrier, vehicle, or device suitable for administration toa subject. A dosage forms can comprise inventive a disclosed compound, aproduct of a disclosed method of making, or a salt, solvate, orpolymorph thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient, such as a preservative, buffer, saline, or phosphate bufferedsaline. Dosage forms can be made using conventional pharmaceuticalmanufacturing and compounding techniques. Dosage forms can compriseinorganic or organic buffers (e.g., sodium or potassium salts ofphosphate, carbonate, acetate, or citrate) and pH adjustment agents(e.g., hydrochloric acid, sodium or potassium hydroxide, salts ofcitrate or acetate, amino acids and their salts) antioxidants (e.g.,ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol), surfactants (e.g., polysorbate 20,polysorbate 80, polyoxyethylene9-10 nonyl phenol, sodium desoxycholate),solution and/or cryo/lyo stabilizers (e.g., sucrose, lactose, mannitol,trehalose), osmotic adjustment agents (e.g., salts or sugars),antibacterial agents (e.g., benzoic acid, phenol, gentamicin),antifoaming agents (e.g., polydimethylsilozone), preservatives (e.g.,thimerosal, 2-phenoxyethanol, EDTA), polymeric stabilizers andviscosity-adjustment agents (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone, poloxamer 488,carboxymethylcellulose) and co-solvents (e.g., glycerol, polyethyleneglycol, ethanol). A dosage form formulated for injectable use can have adisclosed compound, a product of a disclosed method of making, or asalt, solvate, or polymorph thereof, suspended in sterile salinesolution for injection together with a preservative.

As used herein, “kit” means a collection of at least two componentsconstituting the kit. Together, the components constitute a functionalunit for a given purpose. Individual member components may be physicallypackaged together or separately. For example, a kit comprising aninstruction for using the kit may or may not physically include theinstruction with other individual member components. Instead, theinstruction can be supplied as a separate member component, either in apaper form or an electronic form which may be supplied on computerreadable memory device or downloaded from an internet website, or asrecorded presentation.

As used herein, “instruction(s)” means documents describing relevantmaterials or methodologies pertaining to a kit. These materials mayinclude any combination of the following: background information, listof components and their availability information (purchase information,etc.), brief or detailed protocols for using the kit, trouble-shooting,references, technical support, and any other related documents.Instructions can be supplied with the kit or as a separate membercomponent, either as a paper form or an electronic form which may besupplied on computer readable memory device or downloaded from aninternet website, or as recorded presentation. Instructions can compriseone or multiple documents, and are meant to include future updates.

As used herein, the terms “therapeutic agent” include any synthetic ornaturally occurring biologically active compound or composition ofmatter which, when administered to an organism (human or nonhumananimal), induces a desired pharmacologic, immunogenic, and/orphysiologic effect by local and/or systemic action. The term thereforeencompasses those compounds or chemicals traditionally regarded asdrugs, vaccines, and biopharmaceuticals including molecules such asproteins, peptides, hormones, nucleic acids, gene constructs and thelike. Examples of therapeutic agents are described in well-knownliterature references such as the Merck Index (14^(th) edition), thePhysicians' Desk Reference (64^(th) edition), and The PharmacologicalBasis of Therapeutics (12^(th) edition), and they include, withoutlimitation, medicaments; vitamins; mineral supplements; substances usedfor the treatment, prevention, diagnosis, cure or mitigation of adisease or illness; substances that affect the structure or function ofthe body, or pro-drugs, which become biologically active or more activeafter they have been placed in a physiological environment. For example,the term “therapeutic agent” includes compounds or compositions for usein all of the major therapeutic areas including, but not limited to,adjuvants; anti-infectives such as antibiotics and antiviral agents;anti-ALS agents such as entry inhibitors, fusion inhibitors,non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleosidereverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), nucleotide reversetranscriptase inhibitors, NCP7 inhibitors, protease inhibitors, andintegrase inhibitors; analgesics and analgesic combinations, anorexics,anti-inflammatory agents, anti-epileptics, local and generalanesthetics, hypnotics, sedatives, antipsychotic agents, neurolepticagents, antidepressants, anxiolytics, antagonists, neuron blockingagents, anticholinergic and cholinomimetic agents, antimuscarinic andmuscarinic agents, antiadrenergics, antiarrhythmics, antihypertensiveagents, hormones, and nutrients, antiarthritics, antiasthmatic agents,anticonvulsants, antihistamines, antinauseants, antineoplastics,antipruritics, antipyretics; antispasmodics, cardiovascular preparations(including calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, beta-agonists andantiarrythmics), antihypertensives, diuretics, vasodilators; centralnervous system stimulants; cough and cold preparations; decongestants;diagnostics; hormones; bone growth stimulants and bone resorptioninhibitors; immunosuppressives; muscle relaxants; psychostimulants;sedatives; tranquilizers; proteins, peptides, and fragments thereof(whether naturally occurring, chemically synthesized or recombinantlyproduced); and nucleic acid molecules (polymeric forms of two or morenucleotides, either ribonucleotides (RNA) or deoxyribonucleotides (DNA)including both double- and single-stranded molecules, gene constructs,expression vectors, antisense molecules and the like), small molecules(e.g., doxorubicin) and other biologically active macromolecules suchas, for example, proteins and enzymes. The agent may be a biologicallyactive agent used in medical, including veterinary, applications and inagriculture, such as with plants, as well as other areas. The term“therapeutic agent” also includes without limitation, medicaments;vitamins; mineral supplements; substances used for the treatment,prevention, diagnosis, cure or mitigation of disease or illness; orsubstances which affect the structure or function of the body; orpro-drugs, which become biologically active or more active after theyhave been placed in a predetermined physiological environment.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” describes a material that is notbiologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., without causing anunacceptable level of undesirable biological effects or interacting in adeleterious manner.

As used herein, the term “derivative” refers to a compound having astructure derived from the structure of a parent compound (e.g., acompound disclosed herein) and whose structure is sufficiently similarto those disclosed herein and based upon that similarity, would beexpected by one skilled in the art to exhibit the same or similaractivities and utilities as the claimed compounds, or to induce, as aprecursor, the same or similar activities and utilities as the claimedcompounds. Exemplary derivatives include salts, esters, amides, salts ofesters or amides, and N-oxides of a parent compound.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers tosterile aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions oremulsions, as well as sterile powders for reconstitution into sterileinjectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use. Examples ofsuitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehiclesinclude water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol,polyethylene glycol and the like), carboxymethylcellulose and suitablemixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil) and injectableorganic esters such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained,for example, by the use of coating materials such as lecithin, by themaintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions andby the use of surfactants. These compositions can also contain adjuvantssuch as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersingagents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be ensured by theinclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents such asparaben, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid and the like. It can also bedesirable to include isotonic agents such as sugars, sodium chloride andthe like. Prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form canbe brought about by the inclusion of agents, such as aluminummonostearate and gelatin, which delay absorption. Injectable depot formsare made by forming microencapsule matrices of the drug in biodegradablepolymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide, poly(orthoesters) andpoly(anhydrides). Depending upon the ratio of drug to polymer and thenature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release canbe controlled. Depot injectable formulations are also prepared byentrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions which are compatiblewith body tissues. The injectable formulations can be sterilized, forexample, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter or byincorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solidcompositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water orother sterile injectable media just prior to use. Suitable inertcarriers can include sugars such as lactose. Desirably, at least 95% byweight of the particles of the active ingredient have an effectiveparticle size in the range of 0.01 to 10 micrometers.

As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include allpermissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, thepermissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched andunbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, and aromatic and nonaromaticsubstituents of organic compounds. Illustrative substituents include,for example, those described below. The permissible substituents can beone or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds.For purposes of this disclosure, the heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, canhave hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents oforganic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of theheteroatoms. This disclosure is not intended to be limited in any mannerby the permissible substituents of organic compounds. Also, the terms“substitution” or “substituted with” include the implicit proviso thatsuch substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of thesubstituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution resultsin a stable compound, e.g., a compound that does not spontaneouslyundergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization,elimination, etc. It is also contemplated that, in certain aspects,unless expressly indicated to the contrary, individual substituents canbe further optionally substituted (i.e., further substituted orunsubstituted).

In defining various terms, “A¹,” “A²,” “A³,” and “A⁴” are used herein asgeneric symbols to represent various specific substituents. Thesesymbols can be any substituent, not limited to those disclosed herein,and when they are defined to be certain substituents in one instance,they can, in another instance, be defined as some other substituents.

The term “aliphatic” or “aliphatic group,” as used herein, denotes ahydrocarbon moiety that may be straight-chain (i.e., unbranched),branched, or cyclic (including fused, bridging, and spirofusedpolycyclic) and may be completely saturated or may contain one or moreunits of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic. Unless otherwisespecified, aliphatic groups contain 1-20 carbon atoms. Aliphatic groupsinclude, but are not limited to, linear or branched, alkyl, alkenyl, andalkynyl groups, and hybrids thereof such as (cycloalkyl)alkyl,(cycloalkenyl)alkyl or (cycloalkyl)alkenyl.

The term “alkyl” as used herein is a branched or unbranched saturatedhydrocarbon group of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl,isopentyl, s-pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl,dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, eicosyl, tetracosyl, and the like. Thealkyl group can be cyclic or acyclic. The alkyl group can be branched orunbranched. The alkyl group can also be substituted or unsubstituted.For example, the alkyl group can be substituted with one or more groupsincluding, but not limited to, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, ether,halide, hydroxy, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol, as described herein.A “lower alkyl” group is an alkyl group containing from one to six(e.g., from one to four) carbon atoms. The term alkyl group can also bea C1 alkyl, C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C5 alkyl, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C7 alkyl, C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C9 alkyl, C1-C10 alkyl, and the likeup to and including a C1-C24 alkyl.

Throughout the specification “alkyl” is generally used to refer to bothunsubstituted alkyl groups and substituted alkyl groups; however,substituted alkyl groups are also specifically referred to herein byidentifying the specific substituent(s) on the alkyl group. For example,the term “halogenated alkyl” or “haloalkyl” specifically refers to analkyl group that is substituted with one or more halide, e.g., fluorine,chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Alternatively, the term “monohaloalkyl”specifically refers to an alkyl group that is substituted with a singlehalide, e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. The term“polyhaloalkyl” specifically refers to an alkyl group that isindependently substituted with two or more halides, i.e. each halidesubstituent need not be the same halide as another halide substituent,nor do the multiple instances of a halide substituent need to be on thesame carbon. The term “alkoxyalkyl” specifically refers to an alkylgroup that is substituted with one or more alkoxy groups, as describedbelow. The term “aminoalkyl” specifically refers to an alkyl group thatis substituted with one or more amino groups. The term “hydroxyalkyl”specifically refers to an alkyl group that is substituted with one ormore hydroxy groups. When “alkyl” is used in one instance and a specificterm such as “hydroxyalkyl” is used in another, it is not meant to implythat the term “alkyl” does not also refer to specific terms such as“hydroxyalkyl” and the like.

This practice is also used for other groups described herein. That is,while a term such as “cycloalkyl” refers to both unsubstituted andsubstituted cycloalkyl moieties, the substituted moieties can, inaddition, be specifically identified herein; for example, a particularsubstituted cycloalkyl can be referred to as, e.g., an“alkylcycloalkyl.” Similarly, a substituted alkoxy can be specificallyreferred to as, e.g., a “halogenated alkoxy,” a particular substitutedalkenyl can be, e.g., an “alkenylalcohol,” and the like. Again, thepractice of using a general term, such as “cycloalkyl,” and a specificterm, such as “alkylcycloalkyl,” is not meant to imply that the generalterm does not also include the specific term.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-based ringcomposed of at least three carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, norbornyl, and the like. The term “heterocycloalkyl” is atype of cycloalkyl group as defined above, and is included within themeaning of the term “cycloalkyl,” where at least one of the carbon atomsof the ring is replaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to,nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkyl group andheterocycloalkyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkyl group and heterocycloalkyl group can be substituted with oneor more groups including, but not limited to, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy,amino, ether, halide, hydroxy, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol asdescribed herein.

The term “polyalkylene group” as used herein is a group having two ormore CH₂ groups linked to one another. The polyalkylene group can berepresented by the formula —(CH₂)_(a)—, where “a” is an integer of from2 to 500.

The terms “alkoxy” and “alkoxyl” as used herein to refer to an alkyl orcycloalkyl group bonded through an ether linkage; that is, an “alkoxy”group can be defined as —OA¹ where A¹ is alkyl or cycloalkyl as definedabove. “Alkoxy” also includes polymers of alkoxy groups as justdescribed; that is, an alkoxy can be a poly ether such as —OA¹-OA² or—OA¹-(OA²)_(a)-OA³, where “a” is an integer of from 1 to 200 and A¹, A²,and A³ are alkyl and/or cycloalkyl groups.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of from 2 to 24carbon atoms with a structural formula containing at least onecarbon-carbon double bond. Asymmetric structures such as (A¹A²)C═C(A³A⁴)are intended to include both the E and Z isomers. This can be presumedin structural formulae herein wherein an asymmetric alkene is present,or it can be explicitly indicated by the bond symbol C═C. The alkenylgroup can be substituted with one or more groups including, but notlimited to, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl,cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester,ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, orthiol, as described herein.

The term “cycloalkenyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-basedring composed of at least three carbon atoms and containing at least onecarbon-carbon double bound, i.e., C═C. Examples of cycloalkenyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl,cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl,norbornenyl, and the like. The term “heterocycloalkenyl” is a type ofcycloalkenyl group as defined above, and is included within the meaningof the term “cycloalkenyl,” where at least one of the carbon atoms ofthe ring is replaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to,nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkenyl group andheterocycloalkenyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkenyl group and heterocycloalkenyl group can be substituted withone or more groups including, but not limited to, alkyl, cycloalkyl,alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone,azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of 2 to 24carbon atoms with a structural formula containing at least onecarbon-carbon triple bond. The alkynyl group can be unsubstituted orsubstituted with one or more groups including, but not limited to,alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester, ether,halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol, asdescribed herein.

The term “cycloalkynyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-basedring composed of at least seven carbon atoms and containing at least onecarbon-carbon triple bound. Examples of cycloalkynyl groups include, butare not limited to, cycloheptynyl, cyclooctynyl, cyclononynyl, and thelike. The term “heterocycloalkynyl” is a type of cycloalkenyl group asdefined above, and is included within the meaning of the term“cycloalkynyl,” where at least one of the carbon atoms of the ring isreplaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, nitrogen,oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkynyl group andheterocycloalkynyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkynyl group and heterocycloalkynyl group can be substituted withone or more groups including, but not limited to, alkyl, cycloalkyl,alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone,azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein.

The term “aromatic group” as used herein refers to a ring structurehaving cyclic clouds of delocalized π electrons above and below theplane of the molecule, where the π clouds contain (4n+2) π electrons. Afurther discussion of aromaticity is found in Morrison and Boyd, OrganicChemistry, (5th Ed., 1987), Chapter 13, entitled “Aromaticity,” pages477-497, incorporated herein by reference. The term “aromatic group” isinclusive of both aryl and heteroaryl groups.

The term “aryl” as used herein is a group that contains any carbon-basedaromatic group including, but not limited to, benzene, naphthalene,phenyl, biphenyl, anthracene, and the like. The aryl group can besubstituted or unsubstituted. The aryl group can be substituted with oneor more groups including, but not limited to, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,aldehyde, —NH₂, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone,azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein. The term“biaryl” is a specific type of aryl group and is included in thedefinition of “aryl.” In addition, the aryl group can be a single ringstructure or comprise multiple ring structures that are either fusedring structures or attached via one or more bridging groups such as acarbon-carbon bond. For example, biaryl can be two aryl groups that arebound together via a fused ring structure, as in naphthalene, or areattached via one or more carbon-carbon bonds, as in biphenyl.

The term “aldehyde” as used herein is represented by the formula —C(O)H.Throughout this specification “C(O)” is a short hand notation for acarbonyl group, i.e., C═O.

The terms “amine” or “amino” as used herein are represented by theformula —NA¹A², where A¹ and A² can be, independently, hydrogen oralkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl,or heteroaryl group as described herein. A specific example of amino is—NH₂.

The term “alkylamino” as used herein is represented by the formula—NH(-alkyl) where alkyl is a described herein. Representative examplesinclude, but are not limited to, methylamino group, ethylamino group,propylamino group, isopropylamino group, butylamino group, isobutylaminogroup, (sec-butyl)amino group, (tert-butyl)amino group, pentylaminogroup, isopentylamino group, (tert-pentyl)amino group, hexylamino group,and the like.

The term “dialkylamino” as used herein is represented by the formula—N(-alkyl)₂ where alkyl is a described herein. Representative examplesinclude, but are not limited to, dimethylamino group, diethylaminogroup, dipropylamino group, diisopropylamino group, dibutylamino group,diisobutylamino group, di(sec-butyl)amino group, di(tert-butyl)aminogroup, dipentylamino group, diisopentylamino group, di(tert-pentyl)aminogroup, dihexylamino group, N-ethyl-N-methylamino group,N-methyl-N-propylamino group, N-ethyl-N-propylamino group and the like.

The term “carboxylic acid” as used herein is represented by the formula—C(O)OH.

The term “ester” as used herein is represented by the formula —OC(O)A¹or —C(O)OA¹, where A¹ can be alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.The term “polyester” as used herein is represented by the formula-(A¹O(O)C-A²-C(O)O)_(a)— or -(A¹O(O)C-A²-OC(O))_(a)—, where A¹ and A²can be, independently, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group described herein and“a” is an integer from 1 to 500. “Polyester” is as the term used todescribe a group that is produced by the reaction between a compoundhaving at least two carboxylic acid groups with a compound having atleast two hydroxyl groups.

The term “ether” as used herein is represented by the formula A¹OA²,where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group describedherein. The term “polyether” as used herein is represented by theformula -(A¹O-A²O)_(a)—, where A¹ and A² can be, independently, analkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl,or heteroaryl group described herein and “a” is an integer of from 1 to500. Examples of polyether groups include polyethylene oxide,polypropylene oxide, and polybutylene oxide.

The terms “halo,” “halogen,” or “halide,” as used herein can be usedinterchangeably and refer to F, Cl, Br, or I.

The terms “pseudohalide,” “pseudohalogen,” or “pseudohalo,” as usedherein can be used interchangeably and refer to functional groups thatbehave substantially similar to halides. Such functional groups include,by way of example, cyano, thiocyanato, azido, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, perfluoroalkyl, and perfluoroalkoxy groups.

The term “heteroalkyl,” as used herein refers to an alkyl groupcontaining at least one heteroatom. Suitable heteroatoms include, butare not limited to, O, N, Si, P and S, wherein the nitrogen, phosphorousand sulfur atoms are optionally oxidized, and the nitrogen heteroatom isoptionally quaternized. Heteroalkyls can be substituted as defined abovefor alkyl groups.

The term “heteroaryl,” as used herein refers to an aromatic group thathas at least one heteroatom incorporated within the ring of the aromaticgroup. Examples of heteroatoms include, but are not limited to,nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus, where N-oxides, sulfur oxides,and dioxides are permissible heteroatom substitutions. The heteroarylgroup can be substituted or unsubstituted. The heteroaryl group can besubstituted with one or more groups including, but not limited to,alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, ether, halide, hydroxy, nitro, silyl,sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein. Heteroaryl groups can bemonocyclic, or alternatively fused ring systems. Heteroaryl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, furyl, imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl,tetrazolyl, thienyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl, N-methylpyrrolyl, quinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl,oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl,benzofuranyl, benzodioxolyl, benzothiophenyl, indolyl, indazolyl,benzimidazolyl, imidazopyridinyl, pyrazolopyridinyl, andpyrazolopyrimidinyl. Further not limiting examples of heteroaryl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl,pyrazinyl, thiophenyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, benzo[d]oxazolyl,benzo[d]thiazolyl, quinolinyl, quinazolinyl, indazolyl,imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazinyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazinyl,benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazolyl, benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazolyl, andpyrido[2,3-b]pyrazinyl.

The terms “heterocycle” or “heterocyclyl,” as used herein can be usedinterchangeably and refer to single and multi-cyclic aromatic ornon-aromatic ring systems in which at least one of the ring members isother than carbon. Thus, the term is inclusive of, but not limited to,“heterocycloalkyl”, “heteroaryl”, “bicyclic heterocycle” and “polycyclicheterocycle.” Heterocycle includes pyridine, pyrimidine, furan,thiophene, pyrrole, isoxazole, isothiazole, pyrazole, oxazole, thiazole,imidazole, oxazole, including, 1,2,3-oxadiazole, 1,2,5-oxadiazole and1,3,4-oxadiazole, thiadiazole, including, 1,2,3-thiadiazole,1,2,5-thiadiazole, and 1,3,4-thiadiazole, triazole, including,1,2,3-triazole, 1,3,4-triazole, tetrazole, including 1,2,3,4-tetrazoleand 1,2,4,5-tetrazole, pyridazine, pyrazine, triazine, including1,2,4-triazine and 1,3,5-triazine, tetrazine, including1,2,4,5-tetrazine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine,azetidine, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like. Theterm heterocyclyl group can also be a C2 heterocyclyl, C2-C3heterocyclyl, C2-C4 heterocyclyl, C2-C5 heterocyclyl, C2-C6heterocyclyl, C2-C7 heterocyclyl, C2-C8 heterocyclyl, C2-C9heterocyclyl, C2-C10 heterocyclyl, C2-C11 heterocyclyl, and the like upto and including a C2-C18 heterocyclyl. For example, a C2 heterocyclylcomprises a group which has two carbon atoms and at least oneheteroatom, including, but not limited to, aziridinyl, diazetidinyl,dihydrodiazetyl, oxiranyl, thiiranyl, and the like. Alternatively, forexample, a C5 heterocyclyl comprises a group which has five carbon atomsand at least one heteroatom, including, but not limited to, piperidinyl,tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, diazepanyl, pyridinyl, and thelike. It is understood that a heterocyclyl group may be bound eitherthrough a heteroatom in the ring, where chemically possible, or one ofcarbons comprising the heterocyclyl ring.

The term “bicyclic heterocycle” or “bicyclic heterocyclyl,” as usedherein refers to a ring system in which at least one of the ring membersis other than carbon. Bicyclic heterocyclyl encompasses ring systemswherein an aromatic ring is fused with another aromatic ring, or whereinan aromatic ring is fused with a non-aromatic ring. Bicyclicheterocyclyl encompasses ring systems wherein a benzene ring is fused toa 5- or a 6-membered ring containing 1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms orwherein a pyridine ring is fused to a 5- or a 6-membered ring containing1, 2 or 3 ring heteroatoms. Bicyclic heterocyclic groups include, butare not limited to, indolyl, indazolyl, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridinyl,benzofuranyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl,2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxinyl, 3,4-dihydro-2H-chromenyl,1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl; 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-3-yl; and1H-pyrazolo[3,2-b]pyridin-3-yl.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” as used herein refers to an aliphatic,partially unsaturated or fully saturated, 3- to 14-membered ring system,including single rings of 3 to 8 atoms and bi- and tricyclic ringsystems. The heterocycloalkyl ring-systems include one to fourheteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur,wherein a nitrogen and sulfur heteroatom optionally can be oxidized anda nitrogen heteroatom optionally can be substituted. Representativeheterocycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, pyrrolidinyl,pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl,isothiazolidinyl, and tetrahydrofuryl.

The term “hydroxyl” or “hydroxyl” as used herein is represented by theformula —OH.

The term “ketone” as used herein is represented by the formula A¹C(O)A²,where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group asdescribed herein.

The term “azide” or “azido” as used herein is represented by the formula—N₃.

The term “nitro” as used herein is represented by the formula —NO₂.

The term “nitrile” or “cyano” as used herein is represented by theformula —CN.

The term “silyl” as used herein is represented by the formula —SiA¹A²A³,where A¹, A², and A³ can be, independently, hydrogen or an alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl,or heteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “sulfo-oxo” as used herein is represented by the formulas—S(O)A¹, —S(O)₂A¹, —OS(O)₂A¹, or —OS(O)₂OA¹, where A¹ can be hydrogen oran alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl,aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein. Throughout thisspecification “S(O)” is a short hand notation for S═O. The term“sulfonyl” is used herein to refer to the sulfo-oxo group represented bythe formula —S(O)₂A¹, where A¹ can be hydrogen or an alkyl, cycloalkyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl groupas described herein. The term “sulfone” as used herein is represented bythe formula A¹S(O)₂A², where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group as described herein. The term “sulfoxide” as usedherein is represented by the formula A'S(O)A², where A¹ and A² can be,independently, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl,cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “thiol” as used herein is represented by the formula —SH.

“R¹,” “R²,” “R³,” “R^(n),” where n is an integer, as used herein can,independently, possess one or more of the groups listed above. Forexample, if R¹ is a straight chain alkyl group, one of the hydrogenatoms of the alkyl group can optionally be substituted with a hydroxylgroup, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a halide, and the like.Depending upon the groups that are selected, a first group can beincorporated within second group or, alternatively, the first group canbe pendant (i.e., attached) to the second group. For example, with thephrase “an alkyl group comprising an amino group,” the amino group canbe incorporated within the backbone of the alkyl group. Alternatively,the amino group can be attached to the backbone of the alkyl group. Thenature of the group(s) that is (are) selected will determine if thefirst group is embedded or attached to the second group.

As described herein, compounds of the invention may contain “optionallysubstituted” moieties. In general, the term “substituted,” whetherpreceded by the term “optionally” or not, means that one or morehydrogen of the designated moiety are replaced with a suitablesubstituent. Unless otherwise indicated, an “optionally substituted”group may have a suitable substituent at each substitutable position ofthe group, and when more than one position in any given structure may besubstituted with more than one substituent selected from a specifiedgroup, the substituent may be either the same or different at everyposition. Combinations of substituents envisioned by this invention arepreferably those that result in the formation of stable or chemicallyfeasible compounds. In is also contemplated that, in certain aspects,unless expressly indicated to the contrary, individual substituents canbe further optionally substituted (i.e., further substituted orunsubstituted).

The term “stable,” as used herein, refers to compounds that are notsubstantially altered when subjected to conditions to allow for theirproduction, detection, and, in certain aspects, their recovery,purification, and use for one or more of the purposes disclosed herein.

Suitable monovalent substituents on a substitutable carbon atom of an“optionally substituted” group are independently halogen;—(CH₂)₀₋₄R^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄OR^(∘); —O(CH₂)₀₋₄R^(∘), —O(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)OR^(∘);—(CH₂)₀₋₄CH(OR^(∘))₂; —(CH₂)₀₋₄SR^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄Ph, which may besubstituted with R^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph which may be substitutedwith R^(∘); —CH═CHPh, which may be substituted with R^(∘);—(CH₂)₀₋₄O(CH₇)₀₋₁-pyridyl which may be substituted with R^(∘); —NO₂;—CN; —N₃; —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(∘))₂; —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(∘))C(O)R^(∘);—N(R^(∘))C(S)R^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(∘))C(O)NR^(∘) ₂; —N(R^(∘))C(S)NR^(∘)₂; —(CH₂)₀₋₄N(R^(∘))C(O)OR^(∘); —N(R^(∘))N(R^(∘))C(O)R^(∘);—N(R^(∘))N(R^(∘))C(O)NR^(∘) ₂; —N(R^(∘))N(R^(∘))C(O)OR^(∘);—(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)R^(∘); —C(S)R^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)OR^(∘);—(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)SR^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)OSiR^(∘) ₃; —(CH₂)₀₋₄OC(O)R^(∘);—OC(O)(CH₂)₀₋₄SR—, SC(S)SR^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄SC(O)R^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄C(O)NR^(∘)₂; —C(S)NR^(∘) ₂; —C(S)SR^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄OC(O)NR^(∘) ₂;—C(O)N(OR^(∘))R^(∘); —C(O)C(O)R^(∘); —C(O)CH₂C(O)R^(∘);—C(NOR^(∘))R^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄SSR^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄S(O)₂R^(∘);—(CH₂)₀₋₄S(O)₂OR^(∘); —(CH₂)₀₋₄OS(O)₂R^(∘); —S(O)₂NR^(∘) ₂;—(CH₂)₀₋₄S(O)R^(∘); —N(R^(∘))S(O)₂NR^(∘) ₂; —N(R^(∘))S(O)₂R^(∘);—N(OR^(∘))R^(∘); —C(NH)NR^(∘) ₂; —P(O)₂R^(∘); —P(O)R^(∘) ₂; —OP(O)R^(∘)₂; —OP(O)(OR^(∘))₂; SiR^(∘) ₃; —(C₁₋₄ straight or branchedalkylene)O—N(R^(∘))₂; or —(C₁₋₄ straight or branchedalkylene)C(O)O—N(R^(∘))₂, wherein each R^(∘) may be substituted asdefined below and is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic, —CH₂Ph,—O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, —CH₂-(5-6 membered heteroaryl ring), or a 5-6-memberedsaturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or,notwithstanding the definition above, two independent occurrences ofR^(∘), taken together with their intervening atom(s), form a3-12-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl mono- orbicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, which may be substituted as defined below.

Suitable monovalent substituents on R^(∘) (or the ring formed by takingtwo independent occurrences of R^(∘) together with their interveningatoms), are independently halogen, —(CH₂)₀₋₂R^(●), -(haloR^(●)),—(CH₂)₀₋₂OH, —(CH₂)₀₋₂OR^(●), —(CH₂)₀₋₂CH(OR^(●))₂; —O(haloR^(●)), —CN,—N₃, —(CH₂)₀₋₂C(O)R^(●), —(CH₂)₀₋₂C(O)OH, —(CH₂)₀₋₂C(O)OR^(●),—(CH₂)₀₋₂SR^(●), —(CH₂)₀₋₂SH, —(CH₂)₀₋₂NH₂, —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHR^(●),—(CH₂)₀₋₂NR^(●) ₂, —NO₂, —SiR^(●) ₃, —OSiR^(●) ₃, —C(O)SR^(●)—(C₁₋₄straight or branched alkylene)C(O)OR^(●), or —SSR^(●) wherein each R^(●)is unsubstituted or where preceded by “halo” is substituted only withone or more halogens, and is independently selected from C₁₋₄ aliphatic,—CH₂Ph, —O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partiallyunsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Suitable divalent substituents on asaturated carbon atom of R^(∘) include ═O and ═S.

Suitable divalent substituents on a saturated carbon atom of an“optionally substituted” group include the following: ═O, ═S, ═NNR*₂,═NNHC(O)R*, ═NNHC(O)OR*, ═NNHS(O)₂R*, ═NR*, ═NOR*, —O(C(R*₂))₂₋₃O—, or—S(C(R*₂))₂₋₃S—, wherein each independent occurrence of R* is selectedfrom hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic which may be substituted as defined below,or an unsubstituted 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, oraryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,oxygen, or sulfur. Suitable divalent substituents that are bound tovicinal substitutable carbons of an “optionally substituted” groupinclude: —O(CR*₂)₂₋₃O—, wherein each independent occurrence of R* isselected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic which may be substituted asdefined below, or an unsubstituted 5-6-membered saturated, partiallyunsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Suitable substituents on the aliphatic group of R* include halogen,—R^(●), -(haloR^(●)), —OH, —OR^(●), —O(haloR^(●)), —CN, —C(O)OH,—C(O)OR^(●), —NH₂, —NHR^(●), —NR^(●) ₂, or —NO₂, wherein each R^(●) isunsubstituted or where preceded by “halo” is substituted only with oneor more halogens, and is independently C₁₋₄ aliphatic, —CH₂Ph,—O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, oraryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,oxygen, or sulfur.

Suitable substituents on a substitutable nitrogen of an “optionallysubstituted” group include —R^(†), —NR^(†) ₂, —C(O)R^(†), —C(O)OR^(†),—C(O)C(O)R^(†), —C(O)CH₂C(O)R^(†), —S(O)₂R^(†), —S(O)₂NR^(†) ₂,—C(S)NR^(†) ₂, —C(NH)NR^(†) ₂, or —N(R^(†))S(O)₂R^(†); wherein eachR^(†) is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic which may be substitutedas defined below, unsubstituted —OPh, or an unsubstituted 5-6-memberedsaturated, partially unsaturated, or aryl ring having 0-4 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or,notwithstanding the definition above, two independent occurrences ofR^(†), taken together with their intervening atom(s) form anunsubstituted 3-12-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or arylmono- or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Suitable substituents on the aliphatic group of R^(†) are independentlyhalogen, —R^(●), -(haloR^(●)), —OH, —OR^(●), —O(haloR^(●)), —CN,—C(O)OH, —C(O)OR^(●), —NH₂, —NHR^(●), —NR^(●) ₂, or —NO₂, wherein eachR^(●) is unsubstituted or where preceded by “halo” is substituted onlywith one or more halogens, and is independently C₁₋₄ aliphatic, —CH₂Ph,—O(CH₂)₀₋₁Ph, or a 5-6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, oraryl ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,oxygen, or sulfur.

The term “leaving group” refers to an atom (or a group of atoms) withelectron withdrawing ability that can be displaced as a stable species,taking with it the bonding electrons. Examples of suitable leavinggroups include halides and sulfonate esters, including, but not limitedto, triflate, mesylate, tosylate, and brosylate.

The terms “hydrolysable group” and “hydrolysable moiety” refer to afunctional group capable of undergoing hydrolysis, e.g., under basic oracidic conditions. Examples of hydrolysable residues include, withoutlimitation, acid halides, activated carboxylic acids, and variousprotecting groups known in the art (see, for example, “Protective Groupsin Organic Synthesis,” T. W. Greene, P. G. M. Wuts, Wiley-Interscience,1999).

The term “organic residue” defines a carbon containing residue, i.e., aresidue comprising at least one carbon atom, and includes but is notlimited to the carbon-containing groups, residues, or radicals definedhereinabove. Organic residues can contain various heteroatoms, or bebonded to another molecule through a heteroatom, including oxygen,nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, or the like. Examples of organic residuesinclude but are not limited alkyl or substituted alkyls, alkoxy orsubstituted alkoxy, mono or di-substituted amino, amide groups, etc.Organic residues can preferably comprise 1 to 18 carbon atoms, 1 to 15,carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 to 6 carbonatoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In a further aspect, an organic residuecan comprise 2 to 18 carbon atoms, 2 to 15, carbon atoms, 2 to 12 carbonatoms, 2 to 8 carbon atoms, 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

A very close synonym of the term “residue” is the term “radical,” whichas used in the specification and concluding claims, refers to afragment, group, or substructure of a molecule described herein,regardless of how the molecule is prepared. For example, a2,4-thiazolidinedione radical in a particular compound has thestructure:

regardless of whether thiazolidinedione is used to prepare the compound.In some embodiments the radical (for example an alkyl) can be furthermodified (i.e., substituted alkyl) by having bonded thereto one or more“substituent radicals.” The number of atoms in a given radical is notcritical to the present invention unless it is indicated to the contraryelsewhere herein.

“Organic radicals,” as the term is defined and used herein, contain oneor more carbon atoms. An organic radical can have, for example, 1-26carbon atoms, 1-18 carbon atoms, 1-12 carbon atoms, 1-8 carbon atoms,1-6 carbon atoms, or 1-4 carbon atoms. In a further aspect, an organicradical can have 2-26 carbon atoms, 2-18 carbon atoms, 2-12 carbonatoms, 2-8 carbon atoms, 2-6 carbon atoms, or 2-4 carbon atoms. Organicradicals often have hydrogen bound to at least some of the carbon atomsof the organic radical. One example, of an organic radical thatcomprises no inorganic atoms is a 5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-2-naphthylradical. In some embodiments, an organic radical can contain 1-10inorganic heteroatoms bound thereto or therein, including halogens,oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, and the like. Examples of organicradicals include but are not limited to an alkyl, substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, mono-substituted amino,di-substituted amino, acyloxy, cyano, carboxy, carboalkoxy,alkylcarboxamide, substituted alkylcarboxamide, dialkylcarboxamide,substituted dialkylcarboxamide, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, thioalkyl,thiohaloalkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, or substituted heterocyclicradicals, wherein the terms are defined elsewhere herein. A fewnon-limiting examples of organic radicals that include heteroatomsinclude alkoxy radicals, trifluoromethoxy radicals, acetoxy radicals,dimethylamino radicals and the like.

Compounds described herein can contain one or more double bonds and,thus, potentially give rise to cis/trans (E/Z) isomers, as well as otherconformational isomers. Unless stated to the contrary, the inventionincludes all such possible isomers, as well as mixtures of such isomers.

Unless stated to the contrary, a formula with chemical bonds shown onlyas solid lines and not as wedges or dashed lines contemplates eachpossible isomer, e.g., each enantiomer and diastereomer, and a mixtureof isomers, such as a racemic or scalemic mixture. Compounds describedherein can contain one or more asymmetric centers and, thus, potentiallygive rise to diastereomers and optical isomers. Unless stated to thecontrary, the present invention includes all such possible diastereomersas well as their racemic mixtures, their substantially pure resolvedenantiomers, all possible geometric isomers, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof. Mixtures of stereoisomers, as well as isolatedspecific stereoisomers, are also included. During the course of thesynthetic procedures used to prepare such compounds, or in usingracemization or epimerization procedures known to those skilled in theart, the products of such procedures can be a mixture of stereoisomers.

Many organic compounds exist in optically active forms having theability to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light. In describing anoptically active compound, the prefixes D and L or R and S are used todenote the absolute configuration of the molecule about its chiralcenter(s). The prefixes d and l or (+) and (−) are employed to designatethe sign of rotation of plane-polarized light by the compound, with (−)or meaning that the compound is levorotatory. A compound prefixed with(+) or d is dextrorotatory. For a given chemical structure, thesecompounds, called stereoisomers, are identical except that they arenon-superimposable mirror images of one another. A specific stereoisomercan also be referred to as an enantiomer, and a mixture of such isomersis often called an enantiomeric mixture. A 50:50 mixture of enantiomersis referred to as a racemic mixture. Many of the compounds describedherein can have one or more chiral centers and therefore can exist indifferent enantiomeric forms. If desired, a chiral carbon can bedesignated with an asterisk (*). When bonds to the chiral carbon aredepicted as straight lines in the disclosed formulas, it is understoodthat both the (R) and (S) configurations of the chiral carbon, and henceboth enantiomers and mixtures thereof, are embraced within the formula.As is used in the art, when it is desired to specify the absoluteconfiguration about a chiral carbon, one of the bonds to the chiralcarbon can be depicted as a wedge (bonds to atoms above the plane) andthe other can be depicted as a series or wedge of short parallel linesis (bonds to atoms below the plane). The Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system canbe used to assign the (R) or (S) configuration to a chiral carbon.

When the disclosed compounds contain one chiral center, the compoundsexist in two enantiomeric forms. Unless specifically stated to thecontrary, a disclosed compound includes both enantiomers and mixtures ofenantiomers, such as the specific 50:50 mixture referred to as a racemicmixture. The enantiomers can be resolved by methods known to thoseskilled in the art, such as formation of diastereoisomeric salts whichmay be separated, for example, by crystallization (see, CRC Handbook ofOptical Resolutions via Diastereomeric Salt Formation by David Kozma(CRC Press, 2001)); formation of diastereoisomeric derivatives orcomplexes which may be separated, for example, by crystallization,gas-liquid or liquid chromatography; selective reaction of oneenantiomer with an enantiomer-specific reagent, for example enzymaticesterification; or gas-liquid or liquid chromatography in a chiralenvironment, for example on a chiral support for example silica with abound chiral ligand or in the presence of a chiral solvent. It will beappreciated that where the desired enantiomer is converted into anotherchemical entity by one of the separation procedures described above, afurther step can liberate the desired enantiomeric form. Alternatively,specific enantiomers can be synthesized by asymmetric synthesis usingoptically active reagents, substrates, catalysts or solvents, or byconverting one enantiomer into the other by asymmetric transformation.

Designation of a specific absolute configuration at a chiral carbon in adisclosed compound is understood to mean that the designatedenantiomeric form of the compounds can be provided in enantiomericexcess (e.e). Enantiomeric excess, as used herein, is the presence of aparticular enantiomer at greater than 50%, for example, greater than60%, greater than 70%, greater than 75%, greater than 80%, greater than85%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 98%, or greaterthan 99%. In one aspect, the designated enantiomer is substantially freefrom the other enantiomer. For example, the “R” forms of the compoundscan be substantially free from the “S” forms of the compounds and are,thus, in enantiomeric excess of the “S” forms. Conversely, “S” forms ofthe compounds can be substantially free of “R” forms of the compoundsand are, thus, in enantiomeric excess of the “R” forms.

When a disclosed compound has two or more chiral carbons, it can havemore than two optical isomers and can exist in diastereoisomeric forms.For example, when there are two chiral carbons, the compound can have upto four optical isomers and two pairs of enantiomers ((S,S)/(R,R) and(R,S)/(S,R)). The pairs of enantiomers (e.g., (S,S)/(R,R)) are mirrorimage stereoisomers of one another. The stereoisomers that are notmirror-images (e.g., (S,S) and (R,S)) are diastereomers. Thediastereoisomeric pairs can be separated by methods known to thoseskilled in the art, for example chromatography or crystallization andthe individual enantiomers within each pair may be separated asdescribed above. Unless otherwise specifically excluded, a disclosedcompound includes each diastereoisomer of such compounds and mixturesthereof.

The compounds according to this disclosure may form prodrugs at hydroxylor amino functionalities using alkoxy, amino acids, etc., groups as theprodrug forming moieties. For instance, the hydroxymethyl position mayform mono-, di- or triphosphates and again these phosphates can formprodrugs. Preparations of such prodrug derivatives are discussed invarious literature sources (examples are: Alexander et al., J. Med.Chem. 1988, 31, 318; Aligas-Martin et al., PCT WO 2000/041531, p. 30).The nitrogen function converted in preparing these derivatives is one(or more) of the nitrogen atoms of a compound of the disclosure.

“Derivatives” of the compounds disclosed herein are pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts, prodrugs, deuterated forms, radio-actively labeledforms, isomers, solvates and combinations thereof. The “combinations”mentioned in this context are refer to derivatives falling within atleast two of the groups: pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs,deuterated forms, radio-actively labeled forms, isomers, and solvates.Examples of radio-actively labeled forms include compounds labeled withtritium, phosphorous-32, iodine-129, carbon-11, fluorine-18, and thelike.

Compounds described herein comprise atoms in both their natural isotopicabundance and in non-natural abundance. The disclosed compounds can beisotopically-labeled or isotopically-substituted compounds identical tothose described, but for the fact that one or more atoms are replaced byan atom having an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomicmass or mass number typically found in nature. Examples of isotopes thatcan be incorporated into compounds of the invention include isotopes ofhydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine and chlorine,such as ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F and ³⁶Cl,respectively. Compounds further comprise prodrugs thereof, andpharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds or of said prodrugswhich contain the aforementioned isotopes and/or other isotopes of otheratoms are within the scope of this invention. Certainisotopically-labeled compounds of the present invention, for examplethose into which radioactive isotopes such as ³H and ¹⁴C areincorporated, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distributionassays. Tritiated, i.e., ³H, and carbon-14, i.e., ¹⁴C, isotopes areparticularly preferred for their ease of preparation and detectability.Further, substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e., ²H,can afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greatermetabolic stability, for example increased in vivo half-life or reduceddosage requirements and, hence, may be preferred in some circumstances.Isotopically labeled compounds of the present invention and prodrugsthereof can generally be prepared by carrying out the procedures below,by substituting a readily available isotopically labeled reagent for anon-isotopically labeled reagent.

The compounds described in the invention can be present as a solvate. Insome cases, the solvent used to prepare the solvate is an aqueoussolution, and the solvate is then often referred to as a hydrate. Thecompounds can be present as a hydrate, which can be obtained, forexample, by crystallization from a solvent or from aqueous solution. Inthis connection, one, two, three or any arbitrary number of solvent orwater molecules can combine with the compounds according to theinvention to form solvates and hydrates. Unless stated to the contrary,the invention includes all such possible solvates.

The term “co-crystal” means a physical association of two or moremolecules which owe their stability through non-covalent interaction.One or more components of this molecular complex provide a stableframework in the crystalline lattice. In certain instances, the guestmolecules are incorporated in the crystalline lattice as anhydrates orsolvates, see e.g. “Crystal Engineering of the Composition ofPharmaceutical Phases. Do Pharmaceutical Co-crystals Represent a NewPath to Improved Medicines?” Almarasson, O., et. al., The Royal Societyof Chemistry, 1889-1896, 2004. Examples of co-crystals includep-toluenesulfonic acid and benzenesulfonic acid.

It is also appreciated that certain compounds described herein can bepresent as an equilibrium of tautomers. For example, ketones with anα-hydrogen can exist in an equilibrium of the keto form and the enolform.

Likewise, amides with an N-hydrogen can exist in an equilibrium of theamide form and the imidic acid form. As another example, pyrazoles canexist in two tautomeric forms, N¹-unsubstituted, 3-A³ andA¹-unsubstituted. 5-A³ as shown below.

Unless stated to the contrary, the invention includes all such possibletautomers.

It is known that chemical substances form solids which are present indifferent states of order which are termed polymorphic forms ormodifications. The different modifications of a polymorphic substancecan differ greatly in their physical properties. The compounds accordingto the invention can be present in different polymorphic forms, with itbeing possible for particular modifications to be metastable. Unlessstated to the contrary, the invention includes all such possiblepolymorphic forms.

In some aspects, a structure of a compound can be represented by aformula:

which is understood to be equivalent to a formula:

wherein n is typically an integer. That is, R^(n) is understood torepresent five independent substituents, R^(n(a)), R^(n(b)). R^(n(c)),R^(n(d)), R^(n(e)). By “independent substituents,” it is meant that eachR substituent can be independently defined. For example, if in oneinstance R^(n(a)) is halogen, then R^(n(b)) is not necessarily halogenin that instance.

Certain materials, compounds, compositions, and components disclosedherein can be obtained commercially or readily synthesized usingtechniques generally known to those of skill in the art. For example,the starting materials and reagents used in preparing the disclosedcompounds and compositions are either available from commercialsuppliers such as Aldrich Chemical Co., (Milwaukee, Wis.), AcrosOrganics (Morris Plains, N.J.), Strem Chemicals (Newburyport, Mass.),Fisher Scientific (Pittsburgh, Pa.), or Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.) or areprepared by methods known to those skilled in the art followingprocedures set forth in references such as Fieser and Fieser's Reagentsfor Organic Synthesis, Volumes 1-17 (John Wiley and Sons, 1991); Rodd'sChemistry of Carbon Compounds, Volumes 1-5 and supplemental volumes(Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989); Organic Reactions, Volumes 1-40(John Wiley and Sons, 1991); March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, (JohnWiley and Sons, 4th Edition); and Larock's Comprehensive OrganicTransformations (VCH Publishers Inc., 1989).

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended thatan order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number ortype of embodiments described in the specification.

Disclosed are the components to be used to prepare the compositions ofthe invention as well as the compositions themselves to be used withinthe methods disclosed herein. These and other materials are disclosedherein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets,interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that whilespecific reference of each various individual and collectivecombinations and permutation of these compounds cannot be explicitlydisclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. Forexample, if a particular compound is disclosed and discussed and anumber of modifications that can be made to a number of moleculesincluding the compounds are discussed, specifically contemplated is eachand every combination and permutation of the compound and themodifications that are possible unless specifically indicated to thecontrary. Thus, if a class of molecules A, B, and C are disclosed aswell as a class of molecules D, E, and F and an example of a combinationmolecule, A-D is disclosed, then even if each is not individuallyrecited each is individually and collectively contemplated meaningcombinations, A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are considereddisclosed. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is alsodisclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E wouldbe considered disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of thisapplication including, but not limited to, steps in methods of makingand using the compositions of the invention. Thus, if there are avariety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood thateach of these additional steps can be performed with any specificembodiment or combination of embodiments of the methods of theinvention.

It is understood that the compositions disclosed herein have certainfunctions. Disclosed herein are certain structural requirements forperforming the disclosed functions, and it is understood that there area variety of structures that can perform the same function that arerelated to the disclosed structures, and that these structures willtypically achieve the same result.

B. Compounds

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds useful in treatingdisorders associated with a neurological disorder such as, for example,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease, spinal muscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vasculardementia, Huntington's disease, mental retardation, and attentiondeficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and/or neuromusculardisorders such as, for example, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

In one aspect, the disclosed compounds exhibit modification of NF-κBsignaling. In a further aspect, the disclosed compounds exhibitactivation of NF-κB signaling.

In one aspect, the compounds of the invention are useful in modifyingNF-κB signaling in a mammal. In a further aspect, the compounds of theinvention are useful in modifying NF-κB signaling in at least one cell.

In one aspect, the compounds of the invention are useful in thetreatment of neurological disorders, as further described herein.

It is contemplated that each disclosed derivative can be optionallyfurther substituted. It is also contemplated that any one or morederivative can be optionally omitted from the invention. It isunderstood that a disclosed compound can be provided by the disclosedmethods. It is also understood that the disclosed compounds can beemployed in the disclosed methods of using.

1. Structure

In one aspect, disclosed are compounds having a structure represented bya formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are compounds having a structure represented bya formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are compounds selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound is selected from:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound is:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented by aformula:

In a further aspect, the compound has a structure represented byformula:

In a further aspect, the compound is:

In a further aspect, the compound is selected from:

a. R¹ Groups

In one aspect, R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl. In afurther aspect, R¹ is hydrogen.

In a further aspect, R¹ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, and t-butyl. In a still furtheraspect, R¹ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, andi-propyl. In yet a further aspect, R¹ is selected from hydrogen, methyl,and ethyl. In an even further aspect, R¹ is selected from hydrogen andethyl. In a still further aspect, R¹ is selected from hydrogen andmethyl.

In a further aspect, R¹ is C1-C4 alkyl. In a still further aspect, R¹ isselected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and i-propyl. In yet a furtheraspect, R¹ is selected from methyl and ethyl. In an even further aspect,R¹ is ethyl. In a still further aspect, R¹ is methyl.

b. R² Groups

In one aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In a stillfurther aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b),and Cy¹. In yet a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from—C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In an evenfurther aspect, R², when present, is selected from—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b) and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, R², whenpresent, is —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b). In yet a further aspect, R², whenpresent, is Cy¹.

In a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, R², when present, isselected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹. In yet a further aspect, R², when present, isselected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),and Cy¹. In an even further aspect, R², when present, is selected from—C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃ and —C(CN)═NOCH₃. In yet a furtheraspect, R², when present, is —C(F)═CHCH₃. In an even further aspect, R²,when present, is —C(CN)═NOCH₃.

In a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹. In a still furtheraspect, R², when present, is selected from —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹. Inyet a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵ andCy¹. In yet a further aspect, R², when present, is —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵.

In a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹. In a still furtheraspect, R², when present, is selected from —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹,—NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In yet a further aspect, R², whenpresent, is selected from —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), and Cy¹. In an even furtheraspect, R², when present, is selected from —CO₂R²¹,—C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, R², whenpresent, is selected from —CO₂R²¹ and —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b). In yet afurther aspect, R², when present, is —CO₂R²¹. In an even further aspect,R², when present, is —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b).

In a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵. In astill further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), and —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b). In yet a furtheraspect, R², when present, is selected from —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹,—NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), and—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b). In an even further aspect, R², when present, isselected from —NR^(23a)R^(23b) and —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b). In a stillfurther aspect, R², when present, is —NR^(23a)R^(23b). In yet a furtheraspect, R², when present, is —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b).

In a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃,—C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, R², when present, is selected from —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂OR²¹, and —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b). In a still further aspect, R², whenpresent, is —CH₂OR²¹.

c. R³ Groups

In one aspect, R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4alkyl. In a further aspect, R³, when present, is selected from —Cl, —Br,—F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and i-propyl. In a still further aspect,R³, when present, is selected from —Cl, —F, methyl, and ethyl. In yet afurther aspect, R³, when present, is selected from —Cl, —F, and methyl.

In a further aspect, R³, when present, is halogen. In a still furtheraspect, R³, when present, is selected from —Cl, —Br, and —F. In yet afurther aspect, R³, when present, is selected from —Cl and —F. In aneven further aspect, R³, when present, is —Cl. In a still furtheraspect, R³, when present, is —F.

In a further aspect, R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl. In a stillfurther aspect, R³, when present, is selected from methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, and i-propyl. In yet a further aspect, R³, when present, isselected from methyl and ethyl. In an even further aspect, R³, whenpresent, is ethyl. In a still further aspect, R³, when present, ismethyl.

d. R⁴ Groups

In one aspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl.In a further aspect, R⁴ is hydrogen.

In a further aspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, and t-butyl. In a stillfurther aspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, and i-propyl. In yet a further aspect, R⁴ is selected fromhydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, and ethyl. In an even further aspect, R⁴ isselected from hydrogen and ethyl. In a still further aspect, R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, and methyl.

In a further aspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, and t-butyl. In a still furtheraspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, andi-propyl. In yet a further aspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, methyl,and ethyl. In an even further aspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen andethyl. In a still further aspect, R⁴ is selected from hydrogen andmethyl.

In a further aspect, R⁴ is halogen. In a still further aspect, R⁴ isselected from —Cl, —Br, and —F. In yet a further aspect, R⁴ is selectedfrom —Cl and —F. In an even further aspect, R⁴ is —Cl. In a stillfurther aspect, R⁴ is —F.

In a further aspect, R⁴ is C1-C4 alkyl. In a still further aspect, R⁴ isselected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and i-propyl. In yet a furtheraspect, R⁴ is selected from methyl and ethyl. In an even further aspect,R⁴ is ethyl. In a still further aspect, R⁴ is methyl.

e. R⁵ Groups

In one aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃,—CO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In a stillfurther aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In yet a furtheraspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃,—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In an even further aspect, R⁵ isselected from —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b) and Cy¹. In a still furtheraspect, R⁵ is —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b). In yet a further aspect, R⁵ isCy¹.

In a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃,—CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹. In a still furtheraspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹,—C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹. Inyet a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃,—CO₂R²¹, C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In an even further aspect, R⁵ isselected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, and Cy¹. In a still furtheraspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃ and —C(CN)═NOCH₃. In yet afurther aspect, R⁵ is —C(F)═CHCH₃. In an even further aspect, R⁵ is—C(CN)═NOCH₃.

In a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃,—SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹.In a still further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —SO₂R²¹,—NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹.In yet a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —SO₂R²¹,—SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹. In an even furtheraspect, R⁵ is selected from —SO₂R²¹, —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), and—NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴. In a still further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —SO₂R²¹and —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b). In yet a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from—SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b) and —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴. In an even further aspect, R⁵is —SO₂R²¹. In a still further aspect, R⁵ is —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b). In yeta further aspect, R⁵ is —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴.

In a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹,—NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹.In a still further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —CO₂R²¹,—NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In yet a further aspect, R⁵ isselected from —CO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In an even further aspect, R⁵ is selectedfrom —CO₂R²¹, —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and Cy¹. In a still further aspect,R⁵ is selected from —CO₂R²¹ and —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b). In yet a furtheraspect, R⁵ is —CO₂R²¹. In an even further aspect, R⁵ is—C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b).

In a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃,—CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b),—C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), and—NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴. In a still further aspect, R⁵ is selected from—C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b).In yet a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —CO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), and—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b). In an even further aspect, R⁵ is selected from—NR^(22a)R^(22b) and —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b). In a still further aspect, R⁵is —NR^(22a)R^(22b). In yet a further aspect, R⁵ is —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b).

In a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃,—CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, R⁵ is selected from —CO₂R²¹, —CH₂OR²¹, and—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b). In a still further aspect, R⁵ is —CO₂R²¹. In yet afurther aspect, R⁵ is —CO₂H.

f. R²¹, R^(22A), R^(22B), R²⁴, and R²⁵ Groups

In one aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹. In a further aspect, each ofR²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is hydrogen.

In one aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy². In a further aspect, each ofR²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is hydrogen.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, —F, —Cl, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, eachof R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl,—OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH₂CH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂CH₂F,—CH(CH₃)CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH(CH₃)CH₂Cl, and Cy¹.In yet a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵,when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,ethyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, and Cy¹. Inan even further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵,when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,—OCH₃, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4alkyl. In a still further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴,and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F,methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and i-propyl. In yet a further aspect, each ofR²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, and ethyl. In an even furtheraspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, and methyl.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, —CH₂F,—CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂CH₂F, —CH(CH₃)CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl,—CH(CH₃)CH₂Cl, and Cy¹. In yet a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a),R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected fromhydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl,and Cy¹. In an even further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴,and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F,methyl, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a),R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected fromhydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃,—OCH₂CH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, and Cy¹. In yet a further aspect, each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, and Cy¹. In aneven further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,—OCH₃, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that R^(22a) and R^(22b) are notsimultaneously hydrogen.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen and halogen, and C1-C4alkyl. In a still further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴,and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl,—Br, and —F. In yet a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b),R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen,—Cl, and —F. In an even further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b),R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen and—Cl. In a still further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, andR²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen and —F.

In a further aspect, In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b),R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen andC1-C4 alkyl. In a still further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b),R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen,methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and i-propyl. In yet a further aspect, each ofR²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl. In an even further aspect,each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen and ethyl. In a still furtheraspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen and methyl.

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, —F, —Cl, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy². In a still further aspect, eachof R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl,—OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH₂CH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂CH₂F,—CH(CH₃)CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH(CH₃)CH₂Cl, and Cy².In yet a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵,when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,ethyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, and Cy². Inan even further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵,when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,—OCH₃, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, and Cy².

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy². In a still further aspect, each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, —CH₂F,—CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂CH₂F, —CH(CH₃)CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl,—CH(CH₃)CH₂Cl, and Cy². In yet a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a),R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected fromhydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl,and Cy². In an even further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴,and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F,methyl, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, and Cy².

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, and Cy². In a still further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a),R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selected fromhydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃,—OCH₂CH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, and Cy². In yet a further aspect, each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, and Cy². In aneven further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,—OCH₃, and Cy².

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy².

In a further aspect, each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy², provided that R^(22a) and R^(22b) are notsimultaneously hydrogen.

g. R^(23A) and R^(23B) Groups

In one aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) andR^(23b), when present, is not simultaneously hydrogen.

In a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, —F, —Cl, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, each ofR^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independently selected fromhydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃,—OCH₂CH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂CH₂F, —CH(CH₃)CH₂F,—CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH(CH₃)CH₂Cl, and Cy¹. In yet afurther aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, —OCH₃,—OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, and Cy¹. In an evenfurther aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, —OCH₃, —CH₂F,—CH₂Cl, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl. In astill further aspect, R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,and i-propyl. In yet a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, andethyl. In an even further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, and methyl.

In a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, each of R^(23a) andR^(23b), when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F,methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, —CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂CH₂F,—CH(CH₃)CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH(CH₃)CH₂Cl, and Cy¹.In yet a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, —CH₂F,—CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Cl, and Cy¹. In an even further aspect, each ofR^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independently selected fromhydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, and Cy¹. In a still further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b),when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH₂CH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, andCy¹. In yet a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present,is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F, methyl, ethyl, —OCH₃,—OCH₂CH₃, and Cy¹. In an even further aspect, each of R^(23a) andR^(23b), when present, is independently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —F,methyl, —OCH₃, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy¹.

In a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen and halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl. In astill further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, —Cl, —Br, and —F. In yet a furtheraspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, —Cl, and —F. In an even further aspect, each ofR^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independently selected fromhydrogen and —Cl. In a still further aspect, each of R^(23a) andR^(23b), when present, is independently selected from hydrogen and —F.

In a further aspect, In a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b),when present, is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl.In a still further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, andi-propyl. In yet a further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl. Inan even further aspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen and ethyl. In a still furtheraspect, each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen and methyl.

h. Cy¹ Groups

In one aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formulaselected

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy¹, when present, is a structure having a formula:

i. Cy² Groups

In one aspect, Cy², when present, is selected from C3-C6 cycloalkyl,C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, and is substituted with 0,1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a further aspect, Cy²,when present, is selected from C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl,aryl, and heteroaryl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groupsindependently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Cy², whenpresent, is selected from C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl,aryl, and heteroaryl, and is substituted with 0 or 1 group selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis monosubstituted with a group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even further aspect,Cy², when present, is selected from C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, and is unsubstituted.

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is selected from C3-C6cycloalkyl and C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, 2,or 3 groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still further aspect,Cy², when present, is selected from C3-C6 cycloalkyl and C3-C5heterocycloalkyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groupsindependently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Cy², when present,is selected from C3-C6 cycloalkyl and C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, and issubstituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even further aspect,Cy², when present, is selected from C3-C6 cycloalkyl and C3-C5heterocycloalkyl, and is monosubstituted with a group selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl and C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, and is unsubstituted.

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is C3-C6 cycloalkyl substitutedwith 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from halogen, —CN,—NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a stillfurther aspect, Cy², when present, is C3-C6 cycloalkyl substituted with0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect,Cy², when present, is C3-C6 cycloalkyl substituted with 0 or 1 groupselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In an even further aspect, Cy², when present, is C3-C6cycloalkyl monosubstituted with a group selected from halogen, —CN,—NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a stillfurther aspect, Cy², when present, is selected from unsubstituted C3-C6cycloalkyl.

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is C3-C5 heterocycloalkylsubstituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Cy², when present, is C3-C5heterocycloalkyl substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Cy², when present, is C3-C5heterocycloalkyl substituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an evenfurther aspect, Cy², when present, is C3-C5 heterocycloalkylmonosubstituted with a group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still further aspect,Cy², when present, is unsubstituted C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl.

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is selected from aryl andheteroaryl, and is substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Cy², when present, is selectedfrom aryl and heteroaryl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groupsindependently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Cy², when present,is selected from aryl and heteroaryl, and is substituted with 0 or 1group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even further aspect, Cy², whenpresent, is selected from aryl and heteroaryl, and is monosubstitutedwith a group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Cy², whenpresent, is selected from aryl and heteroaryl, and is unsubstituted.

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is aryl substituted with 0, 1,2, or 3 groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still further aspect,Cy², when present, is aryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groupsindependently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Cy², when present,is aryl substituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂,—OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy,C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even furtheraspect, Cy², when present, is aryl monosubstituted with a group selectedfrom halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Cy², when present, isunsubstituted aryl.

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is heteroaryl substituted with0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂,—OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy,C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still furtheraspect, Cy², when present, is heteroaryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Cy², when present,is heteroaryl substituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen, —CN,—NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an evenfurther aspect, Cy², when present, is heteroaryl monosubstituted with agroup selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Cy², whenpresent, is unsubstituted heteroaryl.

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formulaselected from:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

In a further aspect, Cy², when present, is a structure having a formula:

j. Ar¹ Groups

In one aspect, Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, andis substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Ar¹ is selected from monocyclicaryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0 or 1 group selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Ar¹ is selected from monocyclicaryl and pyridinyl, and is monosubstituted with a group selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In an even further aspect, Ar¹ is selected from monocyclicaryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0 groups selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, Ar¹ is monocyclic aryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Ar¹ is monocyclicaryl substituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂,—OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy,C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even furtheraspect, Ar¹ is monocyclic aryl monosubstituted with a group selectedfrom halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Ar¹ is monocyclic arylsubstituted with 0 groups selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, Ar¹ is pyridinyl substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groupsindependently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Ar¹ is pyridinylsubstituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even further aspect,Ar¹ is pyridinyl monosubstituted with a group selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a stillfurther aspect, Ar¹ is pyridinyl substituted with 0 groups selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl,and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected fromhalogen and C1-C4 haloalkyl.

In a further aspect, Ar¹ is monocyclic aryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino.

k. Ar² and Ar³ Groups

In one aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is independentlyselected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0,1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a still further aspect,each of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is independently selected frommonocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0 or 1 groupselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, whenpresent, is independently selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl,and is monosubstituted with a group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂,—OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy,C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even furtheraspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is independently selectedfrom monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0 groupsselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is independentlymonocyclic aryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, whenpresent, is independently monocyclic aryl substituted with 0 or 1 groupselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In an even further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, whenpresent, is independently monocyclic aryl monosubstituted with a groupselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, whenpresent, is monocyclic aryl substituted with 0 groups selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is independentlypyridinyl substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, whenpresent, is independently pyridinyl substituted with 0 or 1 groupselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In an even further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, whenpresent, is independently pyridinyl monosubstituted with a groupselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, whenpresent, is pyridinyl substituted with 0 groups selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is independentlyselected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0,1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen and C1-C4 haloalkyl.

In a further aspect, each of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is independentlymonocyclic aryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino.

l. Ar⁴ Groups

In one aspect, Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, andis substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclicaryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0 or 1 group selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclicaryl and pyridinyl, and is monosubstituted with a group selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In an even further aspect, Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclicaryl and pyridinyl, and is substituted with 0 groups selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, Ar⁴ is monocyclic aryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Ar⁴ is monocyclicaryl substituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂,—OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy,C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even furtheraspect, Ar⁴ is monocyclic aryl monosubstituted with a group selectedfrom halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino. In a still further aspect, Ar⁴ is monocyclic arylsubstituted with 0 groups selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, Ar⁴ is pyridinyl substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groupsindependently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In yet a further aspect, Ar⁴ is pyridinylsubstituted with 0 or 1 group selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH,C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In an even further aspect,Ar⁴ is pyridinyl monosubstituted with a group selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino. In a stillfurther aspect, Ar⁴ is pyridinyl substituted with 0 groups selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino.

In a further aspect, Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl,and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected fromhalogen and C1-C4 haloalkyl.

In a further aspect, Ar⁴ is monocyclic aryl substituted with 0, 1, or 2groups independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl,C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and(C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino.

2. Example Compounds

In one aspect, a compound can be present as one or more of the followingstructures:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, a compound can be present as one or more of the followingstructures:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, a compound can be present as one or more of the followingstructures:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. Prophetic Compound Examples

The following compound examples are prophetic, and can be prepared usingthe synthesis methods described herein above and other general methodsas needed as would be known to one skilled in the art. It is anticipatedthat the prophetic compounds would be active as NF-κB signaling, andsuch activity can be determined using the assay methods described hereinbelow.

In one aspect, a compound can be selected from:

It is contemplated that one or more compounds can optionally be omittedfrom the disclosed invention.

It is understood that the disclosed compounds can be used in connectionwith the disclosed methods, compositions, kits, and uses.

It is understood that pharmaceutical acceptable derivatives of thedisclosed compounds can be used also in connection with the disclosedmethods, compositions, kits, and uses. The pharmaceutical acceptablederivatives of the compounds can include any suitable derivative, suchas pharmaceutically acceptable salts as discussed below, isomers,radiolabeled analogs, tautomers, and the like.

C. Pharmaceutical Compositions

In one aspect, disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising adisclosed compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In one aspect, disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising aneffective amount of at least one compound having a structure representedby a formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising aneffective amount of at least one compound having a structure representedby a formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising atherapeutically effective amount of at least one compound selected from:

and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In various aspects, the compounds and compositions of the invention canbe administered in pharmaceutical compositions, which are formulatedaccording to the intended method of administration. The compounds andcompositions described herein can be formulated in a conventional mannerusing one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients. Forexample, a pharmaceutical composition can be formulated for local orsystemic administration, e.g., administration by drops or injection intothe ear, insufflation (such as into the ear), intravenous, topical, ororal administration.

The nature of the pharmaceutical compositions for administration isdependent on the mode of administration and can readily be determined byone of ordinary skill in the art. In various aspects, the pharmaceuticalcomposition is sterile or sterilizable. The therapeutic compositionsfeatured in the invention can contain carriers or excipients, many ofwhich are known to skilled artisans. Excipients that can be used includebuffers (for example, citrate buffer, phosphate buffer, acetate buffer,and bicarbonate buffer), amino acids, urea, alcohols, ascorbic acid,phospholipids, polypeptides (for example, serum albumin), EDTA, sodiumchloride, liposomes, mannitol, sorbitol, water, and glycerol. Thenucleic acids, polypeptides, small molecules, and other modulatorycompounds featured in the invention can be administered by any standardroute of administration. For example, administration can be parenteral,intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral. A modulatory compound can beformulated in various ways, according to the corresponding route ofadministration. For example, liquid solutions can be made foradministration by drops into the ear, for injection, or for ingestion;gels or powders can be made for ingestion or topical application.Methods for making such formulations are well known and can be found in,for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro,ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. 1990.

In various aspects, the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions comprisethe disclosed compounds (including pharmaceutically acceptable salt(s)thereof) as an active ingredient, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,and, optionally, other therapeutic ingredients or adjuvants. The instantcompositions include those suitable for oral, rectal, topical, andparenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous)administration, although the most suitable route in any given case willdepend on the particular host, and nature and severity of the conditionsfor which the active ingredient is being administered. Thepharmaceutical compositions can be conveniently presented in unit dosageform and prepared by any of the methods well known in the art ofpharmacy.

In various aspects, the pharmaceutical compositions of this inventioncan include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound or apharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compounds of the invention. Thecompounds of the invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, can also be included in pharmaceutical compositions incombination with one or more other therapeutically active compounds.

The pharmaceutical carrier employed can be, for example, a solid,liquid, or gas. Examples of solid carriers include lactose, terra alba,sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, andstearic acid. Examples of liquid carriers are sugar syrup, peanut oil,olive oil, and water. Examples of gaseous carriers include carbondioxide and nitrogen.

In preparing the compositions for oral dosage form, any convenientpharmaceutical media can be employed. For example, water, glycols, oils,alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents and the likecan be used to form oral liquid preparations such as suspensions,elixirs and solutions; while carriers such as starches, sugars,microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants,binders, disintegrating agents, and the like can be used to form oralsolid preparations such as powders, capsules and tablets. Because oftheir ease of administration, tablets and capsules are the preferredoral dosage units whereby solid pharmaceutical carriers are employed.Optionally, tablets can be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueoustechniques.

A tablet containing the composition of this invention can be prepared bycompression or molding, optionally with one or more accessoryingredients or adjuvants. Compressed tablets can be prepared bycompressing, in a suitable machine, the active ingredient in afree-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with abinder, lubricant, inert diluent, surface active or dispersing agent.Molded tablets can be made by molding in a suitable machine, a mixtureof the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise acompound of the invention (or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof)as an active ingredient, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, andoptionally one or more additional therapeutic agents or adjuvants. Theinstant compositions include compositions suitable for oral, rectal,topical, and parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, andintravenous) administration, although the most suitable route in anygiven case will depend on the particular host, and nature and severityof the conditions for which the active ingredient is being administered.The pharmaceutical compositions can be conveniently presented in unitdosage form and prepared by any of the methods well known in the art ofpharmacy.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable forparenteral administration can be prepared as solutions or suspensions ofthe active compounds in water. A suitable surfactant can be includedsuch as, for example, hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also beprepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereofin oils. Further, a preservative can be included to prevent thedetrimental growth of microorganisms.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable forinjectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions.Furthermore, the compositions can be in the form of sterile powders forthe extemporaneous preparation of such sterile injectable solutions ordispersions. In all cases, the final injectable form must be sterile andmust be effectively fluid for easy syringability. The pharmaceuticalcompositions must be stable under the conditions of manufacture andstorage; thus, preferably should be preserved against the contaminatingaction of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can bea solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol,polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethyleneglycol), vegetable oils, and suitable mixtures thereof.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be in a formsuitable for topical use such as, for example, an aerosol, cream,ointment, lotion, dusting powder, mouth washes, gargles, and the like.Further, the compositions can be in a form suitable for use intransdermal devices. These formulations can be prepared, utilizing acompound of the invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,via conventional processing methods. As an example, a cream or ointmentis prepared by mixing hydrophilic material and water, together withabout 5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the compound, to produce a cream orointment having a desired consistency.

Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be in a form suitablefor rectal administration wherein the carrier is a solid. It ispreferable that the mixture forms unit dose suppositories. Suitablecarriers include cocoa butter and other materials commonly used in theart. The suppositories can be conveniently formed by first admixing thecomposition with the softened or melted carrier(s) followed by chillingand shaping in molds.

In addition to the aforementioned carrier ingredients, thepharmaceutical formulations described above can include, as appropriate,one or more additional carrier ingredients such as diluents, buffers,flavoring agents, binders, surface-active agents, thickeners,lubricants, preservatives (including anti-oxidants) and the like.Furthermore, other adjuvants can be included to render the formulationisotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Compositionscontaining a compound of the invention, and/or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof, can also be prepared in powder or liquidconcentrate form.

In a further aspect, an effective amount is a therapeutically effectiveamount. In a still further aspect, an effective amount is aprophylactically effective amount.

In a further aspect, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to amammal. In a still further aspect, the mammal is a human. In an evenfurther aspect, the human is a patient.

In a further aspect, the pharmaceutical composition is used to treat aneurological disorder such as, for example, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, spinalmuscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vascular dementia,Huntington's disease, mental retardation, and attention deficit andhyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In a still further aspect, thepharmaceutical composition is used to treat ALS.

In a further aspect, the pharmaceutical composition is used to treat aneurological disorder is associated with dysregulation of NF-κBsignaling. In a still further aspect, the pharmaceutical composition isused to treat a neurological disorder associated with activation ofNF-κB signaling. In yet a further aspect, the pharmaceutical compositionis used to treat a neurological disorder is associated with dysfunctionof brain-derived neurotropic factor.

It is understood that the disclosed compositions can be prepared fromthe disclosed compounds. It is also understood that the disclosedcompositions can be employed in the disclosed methods of using.

D. Methods of Making a Compound

The compounds of this invention can be prepared by employing reactionsas shown in the following schemes, in addition to other standardmanipulations that are known in the literature, exemplified in theexperimental sections or clear to one skilled in the art. For clarity,examples having a single substituent are shown where multiplesubstituents are allowed under the definitions disclosed herein.

Reactions used to generate the compounds of this invention are preparedby employing reactions as shown in the following Reaction Schemes, asdescribed and exemplified below. In certain specific examples, thedisclosed compounds can be prepared by Routes I-IV, as described andexemplified below. The following examples are provided so that theinvention might be more fully understood, are illustrative only, andshould not be construed as limiting.

1. Route I

In one aspect, substituted 2,5-aryl-thiazole analogs can be prepared asshown below.

Compounds are represented in generic form, wherein X is halogen, R is —For R³, Ar is Ar² or Ar³, and R′ is R² or —CO₂H, and with othersubstituents as noted in compound descriptions elsewhere herein. A morespecific example is set forth below.

In one aspect, compounds of type 1.6, and similar compounds, can beprepared according to reaction Scheme 1B above. Thus, compounds of type1.3 can be prepared by a cyclization reaction between an appropriatearylthiourea or arylthioamide, e.g., 1.1a and 1.1b as shown above, andan appropriate aryl-2-haloethanone, e.g., 1.2 as shown above.Appropriate arylthioureas, appropriate arylthioamides, and appropriatearyl-2-haloethanones are commercially available or prepared by methodsknown to one skilled in the art. The cyclization reaction is carried outin the presence of an appropriate solvent, e.g., ethanol, for anappropriate period of time, e.g., 2 hours, at an appropriatetemperature, e.g., 80° C. As can be appreciated by one skilled in theart, the above reaction provides an example of a generalized approachwherein compounds similar in structure to the specific reactants above(compounds similar to compounds of type 1.4 and 1.5), can be substitutedin the reaction to provide substituted 2,5-aryl-thiazoles similar toFormula 1.6.

2. Route II

In one aspect, substituted 2,5-aryl-thiazole analogs can be prepared asshown below.

Compounds are represented in generic form, wherein X is halogen and withother substituents as noted in compound descriptions elsewhere herein. Amore specific example is set forth below.

In one aspect, compounds of type 2.6, and similar compounds, can beprepared according to reaction Scheme 2B above. Thus, compounds of type2.3 can be prepared by a cyclization reaction between an appropriatearylthioamide, e.g., 2.1 as shown above, and an appropriate2-halo-arylacetamide, e.g., 2.2 as shown above. Appropriatearylthioamides and appropriate 2-halo-arylacetamides are commerciallyavailable or prepared by methods known to one skilled in the art. Thecyclization reaction is carried out in the presence of an appropriatesolvent, e.g., dimethylformamide, for an appropriate period of time,e.g., overnight, at an appropriate temperature, e.g., 80° C. As can beappreciated by one skilled in the art, the above reaction provides anexample of a generalized approach wherein compounds similar in structureto the specific reactants above (compounds similar to compounds of type2.4 and 2.5), can be substituted in the reaction to provide substituted2,4-aryl-thiazoles similar to Formula 2.6.

E. Methods of Using the Compounds

The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention areuseful in treating or controlling disorders associated with neurologicaldisorders and in particular, ALS, and neuromuscular disorders, inparticular, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Examples of neurological disorders for which the compounds andcompositions can be useful in treating, include, but are not limited to,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease, spinal muscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vasculardementia, Huntington's disease, mental retardation, and attentiondeficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Examples of neuromuscular disorders for which the compounds andcompositions can be useful in treating, include, but are not limited to,Becker muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy, Duchennemuscular dystrophy, distal muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss musculardystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle musculardystrophy, myotonic muscular dystrophy, oculopharyngeal musculardystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, infantile progressive spinalmuscular atrophy, intermediate spinal muscular atrophy, juvenile spinalmuscular atrophy, adult spinal muscular atrophy, dermatomyositis,polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, Chocot-Marie tooth disease,Dejerine-Sottas disease, Friedreich's ataxia, Myasthenia gravis,Lambert-Eaton syndrome, botulism, acid maltase deficiency, carnitinedeficiency, carnitine palmityl transferase deficiency, debrancher enzymedeficiency, lactate dehydrogenase deficiency, mitochondrial myopathy,myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, phosphorylase deficiency,phosphofructokinase deficiency, phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency,central core disease, hyperthyroid myopathy, myotonia congenital,myotubular myopathy, nemaline myopathy, paramyotonia congenital, andperiodic paralysis-hypokalemic-hyperkalemic.

To treat or control the disorder, the compounds and pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising the compounds are administered to a subject inneed thereof, such as a vertebrate, e.g., a mammal, a fish, a bird, areptile, or an amphibian. The subject can be a human, non-human primate,horse, pig, rabbit, dog, sheep, goat, cow, cat, guinea pig or rodent.The term does not denote a particular age or sex. Thus, adult andnewborn subjects, as well as fetuses, whether male or female, areintended to be covered. The subject is preferably a mammal, such as ahuman. Prior to administering the compounds or compositions, the subjectcan be diagnosed with a need for treatment of a neurological disorder,such as ALS, and/or a need for treatment of a neuromuscular disorder,such as DMD.

The compounds or compositions can be administered to the subjectaccording to any method. Such methods are well known to those skilled inthe art and include, but are not limited to, oral administration,transdermal administration, administration by inhalation, nasaladministration, topical administration, intravaginal administration,ophthalmic administration, intraaural administration, intracerebraladministration, rectal administration, sublingual administration, buccaladministration and parenteral administration, including injectable suchas intravenous administration, intra-arterial administration,intramuscular administration, and subcutaneous administration.Administration can be continuous or intermittent. A preparation can beadministered therapeutically; that is, administered to treat an existingdisease or condition. A preparation can also be administeredprophylactically; that is, administered for prevention of a neurologicaldisorder, such as ALS, and/or for prevention of a neuromusculardisorder, such as DMD.

The therapeutically effective amount or dosage of the compound can varywithin wide limits. Such a dosage is adjusted to the individualrequirements in each particular case including the specific compound(s)being administered, the route of administration, the condition beingtreated, as well as the patient being treated. In general, in the caseof oral or parenteral administration to adult humans weighingapproximately 70 Kg or more, a daily dosage of about 10 mg to about10,000 mg, preferably from about 200 mg to about 1,000 mg, should beappropriate, although the upper limit may be exceeded. The daily dosagecan be administered as a single dose or in divided doses, or forparenteral administration, as a continuous infusion. Single dosecompositions can contain such amounts or submultiples thereof of thecompound or composition to make up the daily dose. The dosage can beadjusted by the individual physician in the event of anycontraindications. Dosage can vary, and can be administered in one ormore dose administrations daily, for one or several days.

1. Treatment Methods

The compounds disclosed herein are useful for treating or controllingdisorders associated with a neurological disorder, in particular, ALS,and/or associated with a neuromuscular disorder, such as DMD. Thus,provided is a method comprising administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a composition comprising a disclosed compound to asubject. In a further aspect, the method can be a method for treating aneurological disorder. In a still further aspect, the method can be amethod for treating a neuromuscular disorder.

a. Treating a Neurological Disorder

In one aspect, disclosed are methods of treating a neurological disorderin a subject having the neurological disorder, the method comprising thestep of administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amountof at least one disclosed compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurologicaldisorder in a subject, the method comprising the step of administeringto the subject an effective amount of at least one compound having astructure represented by a formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurologicaldisorder in a subject, the method comprising the step of administeringto the subject an effective amount of at least one compound having astructure represented by a formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurologicaldisorder in a subject, the method comprising the step of administeringto the subject an effective amount of at least one compound selectedfrom:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Examples of neurological disorders include, but are not limited to,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease, spinal muscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vasculardementia, Huntington's disease, mental retardation, and attentiondeficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of the disorder prior to the administering step.

In a further aspect, the subject is a mammal. In a still further aspect,the mammal is a human.

In a further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofidentifying a subject in need of treatment of the neurological disorder.

In a further aspect, the disorder is associated with dysregulation ofNF-κB signaling. In a still further aspect, the neurological disorder isassociated with activation of NF-κB signaling. In yet a further aspect,the neurological disorder is associated with dysfunction ofbrain-derived neurotropic factor.

In a further aspect, the neurological disorder is selected fromamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease, spinal muscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vasculardementia, Huntington's disease, mental retardation, and attentiondeficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In yet a further aspect, theneurological disorder is ALS.

In a further aspect, the effective amount is a therapeutically effectiveamount. In a still further aspect, the effective amount is aprophylactically effective amount.

In a further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofadministering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agentassociated with the treatment of a neurological disorder. In a stillfurther aspect, the at least one agent is selected from cholinesteraseinhibitor, an antidepressant, memantine, rilutek, radicava, levodopa,carbidopa, a dopamine agonist, a MAO-B inhibitor, acatechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor, an anticholinergic, spinraza,tetrabenazine, an antipsychotic agent, levetiracetam, clonazepam, anantipsychotic agent, a mood-stabilizing agent, and amantadine.

In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the at least oneagent are administered sequentially. In a still further aspect, the atleast one compound and the at least one agent are administeredsimultaneously.

In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the at least oneagent are co-formulated. In a still further aspect, the at least onecompound and the at least one agent are co-packaged.

b. Treating a Neuromuscular Disorder

In one aspect, disclosed are methods of treating a neuromusculardisorder in a subject having the neuromuscular disorder, the methodcomprising the step of administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of at least one disclosed compound, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for the treatment of aneuromuscular disorder in a subject, the method comprising the step ofadministering to the subject an effective amount of at least onecompound having a structure represented by a formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for the treatment of aneuromuscular disorder in a subject, the method comprising the step ofadministering to the subject an effective amount of at least onecompound having a structure represented by a formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for the treatment of aneuromuscular disorder in a subject, the method comprising the step ofadministering to the subject an effective amount of at least onecompound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

Examples of neuromuscular disorders include, but are not limited to,Becker muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy, Duchennemuscular dystrophy, distal muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss musculardystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle musculardystrophy, myotonic muscular dystrophy, oculopharyngeal musculardystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, infantile progressive spinalmuscular atrophy, intermediate spinal muscular atrophy, juvenile spinalmuscular atrophy, adult spinal muscular atrophy, dermatomyositis,polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, Chocot-Marie tooth disease,Dejerine-Sottas disease, Friedreich's ataxia, Myasthenia gravis,Lambert-Eaton syndrome, botulism, acid maltase deficiency, carnitinedeficiency, carnitine palmityl transferase deficiency, debrancher enzymedeficiency, lactate dehydrogenase deficiency, mitochondrial myopathy,myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, phosphorylase deficiency,phosphofructokinase deficiency, phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency,central core disease, hyperthyroid myopathy, myotonia congenital,myotubular myopathy, nemaline myopathy, paramyotonia congenital, andperiodic paralysis-hypokalemic-hyperkalemic.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of the disorder prior to the administering step.

In a further aspect, the subject is a mammal. In a still further aspect,the mammal is a human.

In a further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofidentifying a subject in need of treatment of the neuromusculardisorder.

In a further aspect, the disorder is associated with dysregulation ofNF-κB signaling. In a still further aspect, the neuromuscular disorderis associated with activation of NF-κB signaling. In yet a furtheraspect, the neuromuscular disorder is associated with dysfunction ofbrain-derived neurotropic factor.

In a further aspect, the neuromuscular disorder is selected from amuscular dystrophy, a spinal muscular atrophy, a disease of theneuromuscular junction, a disease of the peripheral nerve, and aninflammatory myopathy. In yet a further aspect, the muscular dystrophyis selected from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker musculardystrophy (BMD). In an even further aspect, the neuromuscular disorderis DMD. In a still further aspect, the spinal muscular atrophy isamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

In a further aspect, the effective amount is a therapeutically effectiveamount. In a still further aspect, the effective amount is aprophylactically effective amount.

In a further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofadministering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agentassociated with the treatment of a neuromuscular disorder. In a stillfurther aspect, the at least one agent is selected from acorticosteroid, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporine,cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis,riluzole, gabapentin, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, beta carotene, anacetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and a cholinesterase inhibitor.

In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the at least oneagent are administered sequentially. In a still further aspect, the atleast one compound and the at least one agent are administeredsimultaneously.

In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the at least oneagent are co-formulated. In a still further aspect, the at least onecompound and the at least one agent are co-packaged.

2. Methods of Modifying NF-κB Signaling in a Subject

In one aspect, disclosed are methods of modifying NF-κB signaling in asubject, the method comprising the step of administering to the subjectan effective amount of at least one disclosed compound, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods of modifying NF-κB signaling in asubject, the method comprising the step of administering to the subjectan effective amount of at least one compound having a structurerepresented by a formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods of modifying NF-κB signaling in asubject, the method comprising the step of administering to the subjectan effective amount of at least one compound having a structurerepresented by a formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in asubject, the method comprising the step of administering to the subjectan effective amount of at least one compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

In a further aspect, modifying is activating.

In a further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of NF-κBsignaling. In a still further aspect, the compound exhibits an increasein NF-κB signaling.

In a further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of NF-κB signalingwith an EC₅₀ of less than about 30 μM. In a still further aspect, thecompound exhibits activation of NF-κB signaling with an EC₅₀ of lessthan about 25 μM. In yet a further aspect, the compound exhibitsactivation of NF-κB signaling with an EC₅₀ of less than about 20 μM. Inan even further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of NF-κBsignaling with an EC₅₀ of less than about 15 μM. In a still furtheraspect, the compound exhibits activation of NF-κB signaling with an EC₅₀of less than about 10 μM. In yet a further aspect, the compound exhibitsactivation of NF-κB signaling with an EC₅₀ of less than about 5 μM. Inan even further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of NF-κBsignaling with an EC₅₀ of less than about 1 μM. In a still furtheraspect, the compound exhibits activation of NF-κB signaling with an EC₅₀of less than about 0.5 μM.

In a further aspect, the subject is a mammal. In a still further aspect,the subject is a human.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a neurological disorder prior to the administering step. Ina still further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofidentifying a subject in need of treatment of a neurological disorder.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a neuromuscular disorder prior to the administering step.In a still further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofidentifying a subject in need of treatment of a neuromuscular disorder.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a disorder associated with NF-κB signaling dysfunctionprior to the administering step. In a still further aspect, the methodfurther comprises the step of identifying a subject in need of treatmentof a disorder associated with NF-κB signaling dysfunction. In yet afurther aspect, the disorder associated with NF-κB signaling dysfunctionis a neurological disorder. In an even further aspect, the disorderassociated with NF-κB signaling dysfunction is a neuromuscular disorder.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need formodifying NF-κB signaling prior to the administering step. In a stillfurther aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need foractivating NF-κB signaling prior to the administering step.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with aneurodegenerative disorder prior to the administering step.

3. Methods of Modifying NF-κB Signaling in at Least One Cell

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in atleast one cell, the method comprising the step of contacting the atleast one cell with an effective amount of at least one disclosedcompound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in atleast one cell, the method comprising the step of contacting at leastone cell with an effective amount of at least one compound having astructure represented by a formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in atleast one cell, the method comprising the step of contacting at leastone cell with an effective amount of at least one compound having astructure represented by a formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying NF-κB signaling in atleast one cell, the method comprising the step of contacting at leastone cell with an effective amount of at least one compound selectedfrom:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

In a further aspect, modifying is increasing.

In a further aspect, the cell is mammalian. In a still further aspect,the cell is human. In yet a further aspect, the cell has been isolatedfrom a mammal prior to the contacting step. In a still further aspect,the cell has been isolated from a human prior to the administering step.

In a further aspect, contacting is via administration to a subject.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need formodification of NF-κB signaling prior to the administering step. In astill further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a disorder associated with NF-κB signaling dysfunction.

4. Methods of Modifying Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Signaling in aSubject

In one aspect, disclosed are methods of modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in a subject, the method comprising thestep of administering to the subject an effective amount of at least onedisclosed compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in a subject, the method comprising thestep of administering to the subject an effective amount of at least onecompound having a structure represented by a formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in a subject, the method comprising thestep of administering to the subject an effective amount of at least onecompound having a structure represented by a formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in a subject, the method comprising thestep of administering to the subject an effective amount of at least onecompound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

In a further aspect, modifying is activating.

In a further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling. In a still further aspect, the compoundexhibits an increase in brain-derived neurotropic factor signaling.

In a further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less than about 30 μM. In astill further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less than about 25 μM. Inyet a further aspect, the compound exhibits activation of brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less than about 20 μM. Inan even further aspect, the compound exhibits activation ofbrain-derived neurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less thanabout 15 μM. In a still further aspect, the compound exhibits activationof brain-derived neurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less thanabout 10 μM. In yet a further aspect, the compound exhibits activationof brain-derived neurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less thanabout 5 μM. In an even further aspect, the compound exhibits activationof brain-derived neurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less thanabout 1 μM. In a still further aspect, the compound exhibits activationof brain-derived neurotropic factor signaling with an EC₅₀ of less thanabout 0.5 μM.

In a further aspect, the subject is a mammal. In a still further aspect,the subject is a human.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a neurological disorder prior to the administering step. Ina still further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofidentifying a subject in need of treatment of a neurological disorder.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a neuromuscular disorder prior to the administering step.In a still further aspect, the method further comprises the step ofidentifying a subject in need of treatment of a neuromuscular disorder.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need fortreatment of a disorder associated with brain-derived neurotropic factorsignaling dysfunction prior to the administering step. In a stillfurther aspect, the method further comprises the step of identifying asubject in need of treatment of a disorder associated with brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling dysfunction. In yet a further aspect, thedisorder associated with brain-derived neurotropic factor signalingdysfunction is a neurological disorder. In an even further aspect, thedisorder associated with brain-derived neurotropic factor signalingdysfunction is a neuromuscular disorder.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need formodifying brain-derived neurotropic factor signaling prior to theadministering step. In a still further aspect, the subject has beendiagnosed with a need for activating brain-derived neurotropic factorsignaling prior to the administering step.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with aneurodegenerative disorder prior to the administering step.

5. Methods of Modifying Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Signaling in atLeast One Cell

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in at least one cell, the method comprisingthe step of contacting the at least one cell with an effective amount ofat least one disclosed compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in at least one cell, the method comprisingthe step of contacting at least one cell with an effective amount of atleast one compound having a structure represented by a formula selectedfrom:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in at least one cell, the method comprisingthe step of contacting at least one cell with an effective amount of atleast one compound having a structure represented by a

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods for modifying brain-derivedneurotropic factor signaling in at least one cell, the method comprisingthe step of contacting at least one cell with an effective amount of atleast one compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.

In a further aspect, modifying is increasing.

In a further aspect, the cell is mammalian. In a still further aspect,the cell is human. In yet a further aspect, the cell has been isolatedfrom a mammal prior to the contacting step. In an even further aspect,the cell has been isolated from a human prior to the contacting step.

In a further aspect, contacting is via administration to a subject.

In a further aspect, the subject has been diagnosed with a need formodification of brain-derived neurotropic factor prior to theadministering step. In a still further aspect, the subject has beendiagnosed with a need for treatment of a disorder associated withbrain-derived neurotropic factor signaling dysfunction.

6. Use of Compounds

In one aspect, the invention relates to the use of a disclosed compoundor a product of a disclosed method. In a further aspect, a use relatesto the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a neurologicaldisorder in a subject. In a still further aspect, a use relates to themanufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a neuromusculardisorder in a subject.

Also provided are the uses of the disclosed compounds and products. Inone aspect, the invention relates to use of at least one disclosedcompound; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, orpolymorph thereof. In a further aspect, the compound used is a productof a disclosed method of making.

In a further aspect, the use relates to a process for preparing apharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amountof a disclosed compound or a product of a disclosed method of making, ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or polymorph thereof, foruse as a medicament.

In a further aspect, the use relates to a process for preparing apharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amountof a disclosed compound or a product of a disclosed method of making, ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or polymorph thereof,wherein a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is intimately mixed with atherapeutically effective amount of the compound or the product of adisclosed method of making.

In various aspects, the use relates to a treatment of a neurologicaldisorder in a subject. Also disclosed is the use of a compound forantagonism of a neurological disorder. In one aspect, the use ischaracterized in that the subject is a human. In one aspect, the use ischaracterized in that the disorder is a neurological disorder.

In various aspects, the use relates to a treatment of a neuromusculardisorder in a subject. Also disclosed is the use of a compound forantagonism of a neuromuscular disorder. In one aspect, the use ischaracterized in that the subject is a human. In one aspect, the use ischaracterized in that the disorder is a neuromuscular disorder.

In a further aspect, the use relates to the manufacture of a medicamentfor the treatment of a neurological disorder in a subject.

In a further aspect, the use relates to the manufacture of a medicamentfor the treatment of a neuromuscular disorder in a subject.

In a further aspect, the use relates to antagonism of a neurologicaldisorder in a subject. In a further aspect, the use relates toantagonism of a neuromuscular disorder in a subject.

In a further aspect, the use relates to modulating viral activity in asubject. In a still further aspect, the use relates to modulating viralactivity in a cell. In yet a further aspect, the subject is a human.

It is understood that the disclosed uses can be employed in connectionwith the disclosed compounds, products of disclosed methods of making,methods, compositions, and kits. In a further aspect, the inventionrelates to the use of a disclosed compound or a disclosed product in themanufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a neurological disorderin a mammal. In a further aspect, the neurological disorder is ALS. In afurther aspect, the invention relates to the use of a disclosed compoundor a disclosed product in the manufacture of a medicament for thetreatment of a neuromuscular disorder in a mammal. In a further aspect,the neuromuscular disorder is DMD.

7. Manufacture of a Medicament

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for the manufacture ofa medicament for treating a neurological disorder in a subject havingthe neurological disorder, the method comprising combining atherapeutically effective amount of a disclosed compound or product of adisclosed method with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for the manufacture ofa medicament for treating a neuromuscular disorder in a subject havingthe neuromuscular disorder, the method comprising combining atherapeutically effective amount of a disclosed compound or product of adisclosed method with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

As regards these applications, the present method includes theadministration to an animal, particularly a mammal, and moreparticularly a human, of a therapeutically effective amount of thecompound effective in the treatment of a neurological disorder. The doseadministered to an animal, particularly a human, in the context of thepresent invention should be sufficient to affect a therapeutic responsein the animal over a reasonable time frame. One skilled in the art willrecognize that dosage will depend upon a variety of factors includingthe condition of the animal and the body weight of the animal.

The total amount of the compound of the present disclosure administeredin a typical treatment is preferably between about 10 mg/kg and about1000 mg/kg of body weight for mice, and between about 100 mg/kg andabout 500 mg/kg of body weight, and more preferably between 200 mg/kgand about 400 mg/kg of body weight for humans per daily dose. This totalamount is typically, but not necessarily, administered as a series ofsmaller doses over a period of about one time per day to about threetimes per day for about 24 months, and preferably over a period of twiceper day for about 12 months.

The size of the dose also will be determined by the route, timing andfrequency of administration as well as the existence, nature and extentof any adverse side effects that might accompany the administration ofthe compound and the desired physiological effect. It will beappreciated by one of skill in the art that various conditions ordisease states, in particular chronic conditions or disease states, mayrequire prolonged treatment involving multiple administrations.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention relates to the manufacture of amedicament comprising combining a disclosed compound or a product of adisclosed method of making, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt,solvate, or polymorph thereof, with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier or diluent.

8. Kits

In one aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising at least onedisclosed compound and one or more of: (a) at least one agent associatedwith the treatment of a neurological disorder; (b) at least one agentassociated with the treatment of a neuromuscular disorder; (c)instructions for administering the compound in connection with treatinga neurological disorder; (d) instructions for administering the compoundin connection with reducing the risk of a neurological disorder; (e)instructions for treating a neurological disorder; (f) instructions foradministering the compound in connection with treating a neuromusculardisorder; (g) instructions for administering the compound in connectionwith reducing the risk of a neuromuscular disorder; and (h) instructionsfor treating a neuromuscular disorder.

In one aspect, disclosed are kits comprising at least one compoundhaving a structure represented by a formula selected from:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R², whenpresent, is selected from —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹,—CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —CH₂OR²¹, —NR^(23a)R^(23b), —C(O)NR^(23a)R^(23b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR²⁴SO₂R²⁵, and Cy¹; wherein each of R²¹,R^(22a), R^(22b), R²⁴, and R²⁵, when present, is independently selectedfrom hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, andCy¹; wherein each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), when present, is independentlyselected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkyl, and Cy¹, provided that each of R^(23a) and R^(23b), whenpresent, is not simultaneously hydrogen; wherein Cy¹, when present, is astructure having a formula selected from:

wherein R³, when present, is selected from halogen and C1-C4 alkyl;wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino; and whereineach of Ar² and Ar³, when present, is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, provided that either Ar³, when present, is monocyclic arylor R³, when present, is C1-C4 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, and one or more of: (a) at least one agent associated withthe treatment of a neurological disorder; (b) at least one agentassociated with the treatment of a neuromuscular disorder; (c)instructions for administering the compound in connection with treatinga neurological disorder; (d) instructions for administering the compoundin connection with reducing the risk of a neurological disorder; (e)instructions for treating a neurological disorder; (f) instructions foradministering the compound in connection with treating a neuromusculardisorder; (g) instructions for administering the compound in connectionwith reducing the risk of a neuromuscular disorder; and (h) instructionsfor treating a neuromuscular disorder.

In one aspect, disclosed are kits comprising at least one compoundhaving a structure represented by a formula:

wherein R¹ is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁴ isselected from hydrogen, halogen, and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein R⁵ is selectedfrom —C(F)═CHCH₃, —C(CN)═NOCH₃, —CO₂R²¹, —SO₂R²¹, —NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH₂OR²¹, —CH₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —C(O)NR^(22a)R^(22b),—CH(CF₃)NR^(22a)R^(22b), —SO₂NR^(22a)R^(22b), —NR^(22a)SO₂R²⁴, and Cy²;wherein each of R²¹, R^(22a), R^(22b), and R²⁴, when present, isindependently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, and Cy²; wherein Cy², when present, is selectedfrom C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C5 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, andis substituted with 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino; and wherein Ar⁴ is selected from monocyclic aryl andpyridinyl, and is substituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independentlyselected from halogen, —CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl,C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4)dialkylamino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one ormore of: (a) at least one agent associated with the treatment of aneurological disorder; (b) at least one agent associated with thetreatment of a neuromuscular disorder; (c) instructions foradministering the compound in connection with treating a neurologicaldisorder; (d) instructions for administering the compound in connectionwith reducing the risk of a neurological disorder; (e) instructions fortreating a neurological disorder; (f) instructions for administering thecompound in connection with treating a neuromuscular disorder; (g)instructions for administering the compound in connection with reducingthe risk of a neuromuscular disorder; and (h) instructions for treatinga neuromuscular disorder.

In one aspect, disclosed are kits comprising at least one compoundselected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and one or more of:(a) at least one agent associated with the treatment of a neurologicaldisorder; (b) at least one agent associated with the treatment of aneuromuscular disorder; (c) instructions for administering the compoundin connection with treating a neurological disorder; (d) instructionsfor administering the compound in connection with reducing the risk of aneurological disorder; (e) instructions for treating a neurologicaldisorder; (f) instructions for administering the compound in connectionwith treating a neuromuscular disorder; (g) instructions foradministering the compound in connection with reducing the risk of aneuromuscular disorder; and (h) instructions for treating aneuromuscular disorder.

In a further aspect, the neurological disorder is selected fromamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease, spinal muscular atrophy, traumatic brain injury, vasculardementia, Huntington's disease, mental retardation, and attentiondeficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In a further aspect, theneurological disorder is ALS. In a still further aspect, theneurological disorder is ALS.

In a further aspect, the agent associated with the treatment of aneurological disorder is selected from a cholinesterase inhibitor, anantidepressant, memantine, rilutek, radicava, levodopa, carbidopa, adopamine agonist, a MAO-B inhibitor, a catechol-O-methyltransferaseinhibitor, an anticholinergic, spinraza, tetrabenazine, an antipsychoticagent, levetiracetam, clonazepam, an antipsychotic agent, amood-stabilizing agent, and amantadine.

In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the at least oneagent associated with the treatment of a neurological disorder areco-formulated. In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the atleast one agent associated with the treatment of a neurological disorderare co-packaged.

In a further aspect, the neuromuscular disorder is selected from amuscular dystrophy, a spinal muscular atrophy, a disease of theneuromuscular junction, a disease of the peripheral nerve, and aninflammatory myopathy. In yet a further aspect, the muscular dystrophyis selected from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker musculardystrophy (BMD). In an even further aspect, the neuromuscular disorderis DMD. In a still further aspect, the spinal muscular atrophy isamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

In a further aspect, the agent associated with the treatment of aneuromuscular disorder is selected from a corticosteroid, methotrexate,azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil,immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, riluzole, gabapentin, ascorbic acid,vitamin E, beta carotene, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and acholinesterase inhibitor.

In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the at least oneagent associated with the treatment of a neuromuscular disorder areco-formulated. In a further aspect, the at least one compound and the atleast one agent associated with the treatment of a neuromusculardisorder are co-packaged.

The kits can also comprise compounds and/or products co-packaged,co-formulated, and/or co-delivered with other components. For example, adrug manufacturer, a drug reseller, a physician, a compounding shop, ora pharmacist can provide a kit comprising a disclosed compound and/orproduct and another component for delivery to a patient.

It is understood that the disclosed kits can be prepared from thedisclosed compounds, products, and pharmaceutical compositions. It isalso understood that the disclosed kits can be employed in connectionwith the disclosed methods of using.

F. References

-   Writing and Edaravone (2017) The Lancet Neurology 16(7):505-12.-   Petrov et al. (2017) Frontiers in aging neuroscience 9:68.-   Manuvakhova et al. (2011) Journal of neuroscience research    89(1):58-72.-   Samico et al. (2009) International review of neurobiology 85:351-62.-   Carri et al. (2015) Frontiers in cellular neuroscience 9:41.-   Kuntzen et al. (2007) Methods in molecular biology 399:99-124.-   Kaltschmidt et al. (2005) Biochimica et biophysica acta    1745(3):287-99.-   Neidl et al. (2016) The Journal of neuroscience: the official    journal of the Society for Neuroscience 36(15):4351-61.-   Marini et al. (2004) Restorative neurology and neuroscience 22(2):    121-30.-   Ho et al. (2009) Current molecular pharmacology 2(1): 19-31.-   Ahmed et al. (2015) Biomolecules 5(4):3087-111.-   Blaser H, Dostert C, Mak T W, Brenner D. TNF and ROS Crosstalk in    Inflammation. Trends in cell biology. 2016 April; 26(4):249-61.    PubMed PMID: 26791157.-   Ikiz B, Alvarez M J, Re D B, Le Verche V, Politi K, Lotti F, et al.    The Regulatory Machinery of Neurodegeneration in In Vitro Models of    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cell reports. 2015 Jul. 14;    12(2):335-45. PubMed PMID: 26146077. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4646662.-   Skibsbye et al. (2015) Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology 66(2):    165-76.-   Gallardo-Godoy et al. (2011) Journal of medicinal chemistry 54(4):    1010-21.-   Nardo et al. (2016) Brain pathology 26(2):237-47.-   Philips and Rothstein (2015) Current protocols in pharmacology 69:5    67 1-21.-   Si et al. (2014) Annals of clinical and translational neurology    1(10):778-87.-   Si et al. (2015) PloS one 10(9):e0138425.-   Melanie Leitner PDSM, Ph.D.; Cathleen Lutz, Ph.D. Working with ALS    Mice: Guidelines for preclinical testing & colony management.    Cambridge, Mass.: Prize4Life; 2009.-   Galasso et al. (2000) Experimental neurology 165(2):295-305.-   Cowell et al. (2003) The Journal of neuroscience: the official    journal of the Society for Neuroscience 15; 23(28):9459-68.-   Cowell et al. (2006) Journal of neuroimmunology 173(1-2): 155-65.-   Moehle et al. (2012) The Journal of neuroscience: the official    journal of the Society for Neuroscience 32(5): 1602-11.-   Dougherty et al. (2012) Experimental neurology 236(1): 171-8.-   Dougherty et al. (2014) Neurobiology of disease 62:160-71.-   Jiang et al. (2013) Biological psychiatry 73(10): 1024-34.-   Jiang et al. (2013) Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience 7:116.-   Lucas et al. (2012) PloS one 7(8):e42878.-   Lucas et al. (2014) The Journal of neuroscience: the official    journal of the Society for Neuroscience 34(43): 14375-87.-   Dougherty et al. (2014) Neuroscience 271:137-48.-   Dougherty et al. (2013) Experimental neurology 240:96-102.-   Cowell et al. (2007) The Journal of comparative neurology    502(1):1-18.-   Scott et al. (2008) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: official    publication of the World Federation of Neurology Research Group on    Motor Neuron Diseases 9(1):4-15.-   Gurney et al. (1994) Science 264(5166): 1772-5.-   Guyenet et al. (2010) Journal of visualized experiments: JoVE    21(39).-   Bursavich et al. (2010) Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters    20(5): 1677-9.-   Ballatore et al. (2013) ChemMedChem 8(3):385-95.-   Trstenjak et al. (2013) European journal of medicinal chemistry    64:302-13.-   Hammam et al. (1985) Egyptian Journal of Chemistry 27:515-23.-   Cowell et al. (2009) Biochemical and biophysical research    communications 379(2):578-82.-   Hoekman and Ho (2011) Anesthesia and analgesia 113(3): 641-51.-   Landis et al. (2012) Therapeutic delivery 3(2): 195-208.-   Lochhead and Thome (2012) Advanced drug delivery reviews    64(7):614-28.-   Pizzi et al. (2009) The FEBS journal 276(1):27-35.-   Henkel et al. (2009) Journal of neuroimmune pharmacology: the    official journal of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology    4(4):389-98.-   Berent-Spillson and Russell (2007) Journal of neurochemistry 101(2):    342-54.-   Chen et al. (2009) The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal    of the Society for Neuroscience 29(35): 10909-19.-   Vaden et al. (2015) Frontiers in molecular neuroscience 8:11.-   Martin et al. (2015) Journal of visualized experiments: JoVE    25(99):e52605.-   Periasamy et al. (2016) PLoS pathogens 12(3):e1005517.-   Xia et al. (2010) AIuscle & nerve 41(6):850-6.-   Bogdanik et al. (2015) Proceedings of the National Academy of    Sciences of the United States of America 112(43):E5863-72.

The foregoing description illustrates and describes the disclosure.Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferredembodiments but, as mentioned above, it is to be understood that it iscapable to use in various other combinations, modifications, andenvironments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scopeof the invention concepts as expressed herein, commensurate with theabove teachings and/or the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Theembodiments described herein above are further intended to explain bestmodes known by applicant and to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the disclosure in such, or other, embodiments and with thevarious modifications required by the particular applications or usesthereof. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit theinvention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended to theappended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification areherein incorporated by reference, and for any and all purposes, as ifeach individual publication or patent application were specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In the event ofan inconsistency between the present disclosure and any publications orpatent application incorporated herein by reference, the presentdisclosure controls.

G. Examples

ALS is characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons of theventral spinal cord and cortical projection neurons, causing muscleatrophy, paralysis, and death. Strategies to prevent neuronal loss arerequired to prevent the onset and/or progression of ALS (Writing andEdaravone (2017) The Lancet Neurology 16(7):505-12. PubMed PMID:28522181). In 1-3% of ALS cases, point mutations in the Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene result in active enzymes with newlyacquired properties, including hyper-generation of reactive oxygenspecies (ROS) (Petrov et al. (2017) Frontiers in aging neuroscience9:68. PubMed PMID: 28382000. Pubmed Central PMCID: 5360725). SOD1abnormalities have been identified in both familial as well as sporadicALS cases (Manuvakhova et al. (2011) Journal of neuroscience research.89(1):58-72. PubMed PMID: 21046675. Pubmed Central PMCID: 3280078).Unfortunately, co-expression of wild-type SOD1 with mutated SOD1 worsensthe clinical outcome (Samico et al. (2009) International review ofneurobiology 85:351-62. PubMed PMID: 19607980), ruling out substitutivegene therapy. Importantly, there is substantial evidence that ROSproduction is involved in the progression of ALS even innon-SOD1-associated cases (Carri et al. (2015) Frontiers in cellularneuroscience 9:41. PubMed PMID: 25741238. Pubmed Central PMCID:4330888), raising the possibility that strategies to prevent the toxiceffects of ROS could benefit patients with ALS, independent of etiology.In fact, the free radical scavenger Radicava (Edaravone) was recentlyFDA approved based on its ability to slow ALS progression in a subset ofpatients (Writing and Edaravone (2017) The Lancet Neurology16(7):505-12. PubMed PMID: 28522181; Petrov et al. (2017) Frontiers inaging neuroscience 9:68. PubMed PMID: 28382000. Pubmed Central PMCID:5360725).

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that increasingneuronal expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), a Mn²⁺-dependentenzyme that detoxifies ROS, should be used as a strategy to prevent theonset and/or progression of ALS. SOD2 is unaffected in ALS, and itsexpression is robustly inducible by activation of the NF-kB complexfound in neurons (p50/p65) by direct binding of p65 to the SOD2 promoter(Kuntzen et al. (2007) Methods in molecular biology 399:99-124. PubMedPMID: 18309928; Kaltschmidt et al. (2005) Biochimica et biophysica acta1745(3):287-99. PubMed PMID: 15993497; Neidl et al. (2016) The Journalof neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience36(15):4351-61. PubMed PMID: 27076430). To identify putative smallmolecule activators of NF-kB activity and SOD2 expression, a highthroughput, cell-based NF-kB reporter assay was designed and a series ofcompounds that increase SOD2 expression were found. These compoundscause increased p65 nuclear translocation without affecting theabundance of inhibitor of NF-κB (I-κBα), and prevent cell death causedby hydrogen peroxide or glutamate-induced cell death in cell culturesystems (Writing and Edaravone (2017) The Lancet Neurology 16(7):505-12.PubMed PMID: 28522181). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it washypothesized that the activation of endogenous transcriptional programsfor SOD2 expression will boost neuronal antioxidant defenses and preventand/or delay the progression of ALS.

The two lead compounds demonstrated powerful neurotropic andneuroprotective activity. In addition, they up-regulated SOD2expression/activity in human and rat neurons. These compounds alsodemonstrated in in vivo activity in a mouse model of ALS. Briefly,Congenic SOD1-G93A mice were dosed with up to 50 mg/kg of both compounds(IP) to evaluate any toxicity issues prior to initiating the efficacystudy. Also, mice administered 20 mg of each compound had high plasmaand brain levels at 30 minutes. Next, individually genotyped SOD1-G93Amice (Prize4life-Jackson Labs) were treated with each compound (25mg/kg, IP) at disease onset (day 96). The treatment extended survival,reduced weight loss and improved the neurologic symptoms. For example,Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that compound administration atthe time of onset significantly extended survival. Data document a 66%and an 81% lifespan extension for the compounds, respectively, at 50%survival in male mice. A similar trend was observed in female mice.Animal weight, which reflects muscle atrophy and metabolic weight waste,was also significantly reduced by the treatments. The average weightwithin the groups before the treatment was similar. However, at 120days, control animals lost on average 12% of the body weight andcompound treated mice lost only 3% (75% inhibition) and 4% (65%inhibition) of the body weight, respectively.

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinaryskill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how thecompounds, compositions, articles, devices and/or methods claimed hereinare made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary of theinvention and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventorsregard as their invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracywith respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.), but someerrors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicatedotherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in ° C. or is atambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

The Examples are provided herein to illustrate the invention, and shouldnot be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Examples areprovided herein to illustrate the invention and should not be construedas limiting the invention in any way.

1. Chemistry Experimentals

a. General Experimental

All reactions were carried out in an oven- or flame-dried glasswareunder argon atmosphere using standard gas-tight syringe, cannula, andsepta. The reaction temperatures were measured externally. Stirring wasachieved with oven dried magnetic bars. All the reactions were done inanhydrous solvents (DMF, THF, CH₂Cl₂, 1,4-Dioxane, 1-Butanol, CHCl₃,DME) purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Microwave reactions were performed inCEM discover Labmate System with Intelligent Technology for FocusedMicrowave Synthesizer (Explorer 48). All commercially purchased reagentswere used without purification. The reactions were monitored bythin-layer chromatography (TLC) on a pre-coated silica gel (60 F254)glass plates from EMD Millipore and visualized using UV light (254 nm).Purification of the compounds was performed on Teledyne-ISCO CombiflashRf 200 purification system. Used Redisep Rf® normal phase silica gelcolumns 230-400 mesh. Proton NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Unity400 NMR spectrometer operating at 400 MHz calibrated to the solvent peakand TMS peak. The chemical formula and Exact Mass for target compoundswere determined from the (M+H)+ by high resolution mass spectroscopyusing an Agilent 6210 Electrospray Time of Flight

The purity of the final compounds were checked by HPLC using Agilent1100 LC equipped with a diode array UV detector and monitored atmultiple wavelengths on Bondclone 10μ C18 column using Solvent A: H₂O,Solvent B: CH₃CN, 1.0 ml/min; 30 min linear gradient from 10-90% B, oron Waters HPLC equipped with a 3100 Mass Detector using Sunfire C18column (5 μM, 4.6×150 mm) using ACN-H2) (both containing 0.1% formicacid) from 10-90% gradient in 15 min. ESI-MS spectra were recorded on aBioTof-2 time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

b. General Procedure I for the Synthesis of Aminothiazole and ThiazoleCompounds

A solution of appropriate arylthiourea (1 eq.) or Arylthioamide (1 eq.)and aryl-2-bromoethanone (1 eq.) in anhydrous ethanol was heated in asealed tube at 80° C. for 2 hours. The progress of reaction wasmonitored by TLC. Ethanol was removed from the reaction mixture and theresulted residue was washed with aq. NaHCO₃. The aqueous layer wasextracted with CH₂Cl₂ (thrice) and the combined organic layer was driedover anhydrous Na₂SO₄. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and thecrude product was purified on Teledyne Isco Combiflash® Rf purificationmachine to afford corresponding aminothiazole or thiazole in moderate togood yields.

c. Spectral Data i.(Z)-1-(Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-3-((2-bromophenyl)amino)Prop-2-en-1-one(1)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 12.27 (d, J=11.8 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (dd, J=11.9,8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.71-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.50 (s, 1H), 7.39 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H),7.07-6.92 (m, 2H), 6.22 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 6.11 (s, 2H).

ii. N-(3-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(pyridin-2-yl)thiazol-2-amine (2)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 10.49 (s, 1H), 8.57 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.17(d, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (td, J=7.7, 1.8 Hz, 1H),7.64 (s, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (ddd, J=7.4, 4.8, 1.2 Hz,1H), 6.90 (dd, J=7.3, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (s, 3H).

iii. 3-(2-((2-Fluorophenyl)amino)thiazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (3)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.08 (s, 1H), 8.51 (td, J=8.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H),8.43 (td, J=1.8, 0.5 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (ddd, J=7.7, 1.9, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.86(ddd, J=7.7, 1.7, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H),7.32-7.15 (m, 2H), 7.09-6.96 (m, 1H).

iv. 3-(2-(O-Tolylamino)thiazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (7)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 9.46 (s, 1H), 8.43 (t, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 8.09(ddd, J=7.8, 1.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.92-7.84 (m, 2H), 7.53 (t, J=7.7 Hz,1H), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.27-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.05 (td, J=7.4, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.29(s, 3H).

v. N-(4-(2-((2-Fluorophenyl)amino)thiazol-4-yl)benzyl)acetamide (20)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, Chloroform-d): δ 8.22 (td, J=8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H),7.88-7.78 (m, 2H), 7.39 (bs, 1H), 7.33 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.19 (t, J=7.7Hz, 1H), 7.13 (ddd, J=11.4, 8.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.04-6.96 (m, 1H), 6.87(s, 1H), 5.76 (s, 1H), 4.46 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 2.05 (s, 3H).

vi. 4-(2-(2-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (37)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 13.01 (s, 1H), 8.49 (s, 1H), 8.38 (td,J=7.8, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 8.24-8.14 (m, 2H), 8.08-7.97 (m, 2H), 7.61-7.54 (m,1H), 7.50-7.36 (m, 2H

d. Synthesis of 3-(4-((2-fluorophenyl)amino)thiazol-2-yl)benzoic acid(44)

A solution of 2-chloro-N-(2-fluorophenyl)acetamide (104 mg, 0.552 mmol)and 3-carbamothioylbenzoic acid (100 mg, 0.552 mmol) in DMF (2 ml) washeated at 80° C. for overnight. Solvent was removed and purified onTeledyne Isco Combiflash® Rf purification machine to afford3-(4-((2-fluorophenyl)amino)thiazol-2-yl)benzoic acid in 8% yield.

2. Methods

a. High Throughput Assay for NF-κB Reporter Activity

SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line was obtained from the AmericanTissue Culture collection (ATCC). A commercially available expressionvector containing the NF-kB promoter enhancer region driving the fireflyluciferase gene expression and a second plasmid containing the geneconferring resistance to blasticidin were used in a dual transfectionapproach to obtain a stable cell line. SH-SY5Y cells stably transfectedwith pNF-κB-luc/pEF6 were plated at 8,000 per well in a volume of 40 μlDMEM in either Corning white opaque, 384-well plates (Cat. No. 3570,Corning, Inc., Corning, N.Y.) or Corning black clear bottom, 384-wellplates (Cat. No. 3712, Corning, Inc., Corning, N.Y.) and treated withtest compounds for 24 hr at 37° C. Luciferase activity was measured as areporter of NF-kB activation using the Bright-Glo Luciferase assay kit(Cat. No. E2620, Promega, Madison, Wis.) according to the manufacturer'sinstructions. Cell viability was measured using the CellTiter-GloLuminescent Cell Viability assay kit (Cat. No. G7572, Promega, Madison,Wis.) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, cells wereequilibrated at room temperature for 30 min prior to the addition ofBright-Glo to the white opaque plates or CellTiter-Glo to the blackclear bottom plates. A volume of assay buffer equal to the volume ofcell media was added to each well and incubated for five min to allowcomplete cell lysis. All procedures were performed in the dark.Luminescence was measured by the Synergy4 Multi-detection microplatereader (BioTek, Winooski, Vt.) within 15 min of lysis.

3. Data Supporting the Putative Mechanism of Action

a. Induction of SOD2 Expression

The initial high throughput screen and subsequent testing and analysis(see Manuvakhova et al. (2011) Journal of neuroscience research89(1):58-72. PubMed PMID: 21046675. Pubmed Central PMCID: 3280078)revealed a number of compounds with potential biological activity. Twoof these compounds, no. 1 and no. 2, increase SOD2 expression (FIG.1A-C) and activity (FIG. 1D). Without wishing to be bound by theory,these compounds induce SOD2 in cells from different species (human, FIG.1A; mouse, FIG. 1B; and rat, FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D), suggesting that thesecompounds could be used in mice to test potential target engagement andefficacy in humans.

Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, treatment of human SH-SY5Yneuroblastoma cells (6 h; FIG. 1A) or mouse NSC-34 neuroblastoma cells(24 h; FIG. 1B) with 1 μM compound significantly induced SOD2 mRNAexpression as measured by quantitative RT-PCR.

Referring to FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, exposure of primary rat corticalcultures to the compounds increased protein expression (FIG. 1C) and SODactivity (FIG. 1D). N=3-6/group, mean+/−SEM, *p<0.05, **p<0.01, 2-wayANOVA, post-hoc t-test.

b. NF-κB Activation for Promoting Neuroprotection

A number of studies have shown that the activation of the NF-kB complexin neurons can be neuroprotective (Samico et al. (2009) Internationalreview of neurobiology 85:351-62. PubMed PMID: 19607980; Kuntzen et al.(2007) Methods in molecular biology 399:99-124. PubMed PMID: 18309928;Kaltschmidt et al. (2005) Biochimica et biophysica acta 1745(3):287-99.PubMed PMID: 15993497) potentially by inducing genes like SOD2, thegrowth factor BDNF (Neidl et al. (2016) The Journal of neuroscience: theofficial journal of the Society for Neuroscience 36(15):4351-61. PubMedPMID: 27076430; Marini et al. (2004) Restorative neurology andneuroscience 22(2): 121-30. PubMed PMID: 15272146), and theactivity-dependent genes c-fos and egr-1 (Ho et al. (2009) Currentmolecular pharmacology 2(1): 19-31. PubMed PMID: 20021442). However, inlight of the role for NF-kB in pro-inflammatory transcriptional programsin leukocytes (Ahmed et al. (2015) Biomolecules 5(4):3087-111. PubMedPMID: 26569329. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4693271; Blaser et al. (2016)Trends in cell biology 26(4):249-61, PubMed PMID: 26791157), the genericactivation of NF-kB could be detrimental in the context ofneurodegeneration, potentially by increasing the expression ofinhibitory kB (Ikiz et al. (2015) Cell reports 12(2):335-45. PubMedPMID: 26146077. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4646662). Importantly, previousstudies showed that compounds in the same series as no. 1 and no. 2increase SOD2 expression without changing the levels of inhibitory kB,are neuroprotective against glutamate-induced toxicity in primarycultures, and do not induce the expression of cytokines (Writing et al.(2017) The Lancet Neurology 16(7):505-12. PubMed PMID: 28522181). In alltarget engagement studies and ALS model studies, cytokine expression (invitro and in vivo) and leukocyte phenotype will be evaluated to rule outany effects on activation of NF-kB in non-neuronal cells.

c. Initial Tests of Efficacy in the SOD1 G93A Transgenic Mouse

While compounds which increase SOD2 expression and activity havepotential utility in a number of neurodegenerative diseases involvingROS overproduction, it was decided to test these two compounds in amouse model of ALS for a variety of reasons, including the evidence foroxidative stress in ALS (described above), the ability of thesecompounds to induce SOD2 in a motor neuron-like mouse cell line (NSC-34;FIG. 1B), and the availability of a mouse model with dysfunction in SOD1(human SOD1 G93A transgenic mouse; Jackson Laboratory). The pilotexperiment involved treating six wildtype and six SOD1 G93A transgenicmales on the C57BL/6 background with 25 mg/kg compound no. 1 andcompound no. 2 I.P. daily, beginning around disease onset (day 96; FIG.2A and FIG. 2B). Mouse survival and behavioral phenotype were observedbased on guidelines from “Working with ALS mice: JAX handbook,” using a4-point severity score (FIG. 2C). Survival was significantly prolongedand progression to a score of 4 was delayed with both compounds,suggesting that further testing of the target engagement and efficacy ofthese compounds are warranted.

Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, SOD1 G93A mice received daily IPinjections of saline (control) or compounds (25 mg/kg) starting on day96.

Referring. To FIG. 2C, progression from neurological score 1 was delayedonly by compound no. 2 (2 day delay, +30%), progression to higher(worse) scores was delayed by both compounds. *P<0.05; **P<0.01, 2-wayANOVA.

Before the studies above were initiated, congenic SOD1 G93A mice weredosed with 50 mg/kg of compound no. 1 and compound no. 2 via I.P.injection to rule out any toxicity issues prior to initiating theefficacy study (FIG. 2A-C). The compounds were shown to achievesubstantial plasma and brain levels within 30 minutes. However, onedrawback of these compounds is their lack of oral bioavailability(I.V./P.O., 1 and 5 mg/kg, respectively) and very short plasma half-life(t_(1/2)<5 min), which was anticipated by lack of stability >20 minutesin microsomal stability studies. Therefore, daily I.P. injections ofthese two compounds will be used for proof-of-concept compounds fortarget engagement and efficacy studies, but they do not have theappropriate profiles for advancing to IND status.

4. Chemical Identities of Lead Compounds

a. Initial Lead Compounds

The structures of the initial lead compounds have been published (1) andare shown in FIG. 2A-C. Before the studies above were initiated,congenic SOD1 G93A mice were dosed with 50 mg/kg of compound no. 1 andcompound no. 2 via I.P. injection to rule out any toxicity issues priorto initiating the efficacy study (FIG. 2A-C). The compounds were shownto achieve substantial plasma and brain levels within 30 minutes.However, one drawback of these compounds is their lack of oralbioavailability (I.V./P.O., 1 and 5 mg/kg, respectively) and very shortplasma half-life (t_(1/2)<5 min), which was anticipated by lack ofstability >20 minutes in microsomal stability studies.

b. Identification of a Novel Compound Series

To identify compounds with similar activity but improved stabilityprofiles, the structures of compound no. 1 and compound no. 2 were usedas starting points. Examination of their structures revealedsimilarities to be exploited as well as structural alerts or liabilitiesthat needed to be addressed. Liabilities included the benzodiol moiety(#1), enone group (#2) and aniline (#3) on compound no. 1 and the aminothiazole (#4) on compound no. 2 (FIG. 3 ), potential to chelate metals,and the fact that similar compounds were reported to be channel blockers(Skibsbye et al. (2015) Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology 66(2):165-76). The approaches herein include, for example, simple ringsubstitutions, elimination of the 1,3-dioxole and the amino-thiazole,and elimination of the double bond found in compound no. 1.

However, compounds with modifications in the aromatic ring of compoundno. 1 had reduced stability and were rendered inactive by modificationof the 1,3 dioxole moiety. Furthermore, compounds with modifications inthe pyrrole moiety or the double bond did not improve activity.Additionally, a variety of modifications to the structure of compoundno. 2 (pyridine, benzene, oxazole, and thiadiazole) did not improvecompound activity and/or oral bioavailability. In some cases,modifications did not reduce activity (Table 1, middle and rightcolumns), but none of the compounds showed an increase in stability.

TABLE 1 Table 1. Examples of 22819 derivatives.

Max Max Eff. Max Eff. EC50 Eff. EC50 Concentration EC50 ConcentrationNo. R (μm) Concentration No. R (μm) (μm) No. R (μm) (μm) 35330 Br NA —34974 F 0.8 2.5 34981 Cl 2.5 40 34971 H NA — 34973 H 1.5 10 35332 Br 3.640 34260 F 588.6 1 μM 35331 Br 4.4 20 34968 F 4.7 20 34267 CF₃ NA —34976 Me 5.3 20 34972 R 5.6 20 34979 Cl NA — 34980 Cl 7.6 40 34977Me >40 40 34965 OMe NA — 34975 OMe >20 20 34960 OMe >40 40

In light of the limited success with these approaches, other compoundswith similar structures but with proven oral bioavailability andpharmacokinetic profiles were pursued. Ataluren, a thiadiazole compoundthat promotes readthrough and expression of dystrophin in patients withDuchenne muscular dystrophy, bears some structural similarity tocompound no. 2 (FIG. 4 ). A sample of Ataluren was purchased andevaluated in a NF-kB assay. The compound was quite effective with anEC₅₀ of 1.5 μM and 9-10 fold induction. Based on this result, severalanalogs that included the carboxylic acid found in Ataluren and thebackbone of compound no. 2 were designed, such as compound no. 3 (FIG. 4).

c. This Approach Represents a Significant Breakthrough

Compound no. 3 was shown to have an EC₅₀ of approximately 1 μM and anE_(max) of 15-18. The solubility was 80 μM and tin in HLM (human livermicrosomes) and MLM (mouse liver microsomes) of 97 and 32 minutes,respectively. A study in MDR/MDCK cells indicated the compound washighly permeable and no efflux was observed. In addition, abioavailability study was run (1 mg/Kg IV and 5 mg/Kg po) and ot wasdetermined that the compound was orally bioavailable (26%), with an IVtin of 4 hr and a C_(max) of 100 ng/mL at the 5 mg/kg dose.

Using compound no. 2 as the basis, a program to better understand thestructure-activity relationships of this new series was pursued.Derivatives of compound no. 2 where (1) the position of the acid wasvaried (R₁═CO₂H and CO₂CH₃ ortho, meta and para); (2) the substituentswere changed completely (R₁═OH, OCH₃, CF₃, F, diF, CN, Cl, CH₂NH₂,CH₂NHAc, m-CH₂OH, CH₂OCH₃, CO₂NH₂); and (3) the substituents on theaniline ring (R₂) were changed (see Table 2). In this series, theN-acetyl derivative no. 20 was found to have an EC₅₀ of 4 μM andE_(max)>20 fold, indicating that the carboxylic acid was not a requiredsubstituent. In addition, this compound has a lower total polar surfacearea (53 vs. 62 for the acid) and thus may have improved CNSpermeability.

The synthesis reactions were performed under a dry argon atmosphere andreaction temperatures were measured externally. Anhydrous solvents andreagents from Aldrich were used without further drying. The reactionswere monitored by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on pre-coated silicagel (60F₂₅₄) aluminium plates (0.25 mm) from E. Merck and visualizedusing UV light (254 nm). Purification of all compounds was carried outby utilizing a Teledyne Isco Combiflash® Rf automated chromatographymachine. Universal RediSep solid sample loading pre-packed cartridgeswere used to absorb crude product and purified on silica RediSep Rf GoldSilica (20-40 μm spherical silica) columns using appropriate solventgradients. Pure samples were dried overnight under high vacuum over P₂O₅at 78° C. before analyses. The exact mass spectral data were obtainedwith an Agilent LC-MSTOF or with Bruker BIOTOF II by electrosprayionization (ESI). ¹HNMR spectra were recorded on an Agilent/VarianMR-400 spectrometer operating at 399.930 MHz. The chemical shifts (5)are in ppm downfield from standard tetramethylsilane (TMS). Chemicalshifts (5) listed for multiplets were measured from the approximatecenters, and relative integrals of peak areas agreed with those expectedfor the assigned structures. Determination of percent purity wasobtained by HPLC using an Agilent 1100 LC equipped with a diode array UVdetector and monitored at multiple wavelengths. ESI-MS spectra wasrecorded on a BioTof-2 time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The NMR datafor various analogs are detailed herein above, and the purity andmicrosomal stability data are listed in Table 2. None of the compoundshad greater than 0.5% of a single impurity.

5. In Vitro Biological Activity and Selectivity for the Intended Target

a. Ability of Potential Lead Compounds to Increase SOD2 mRNA ExpressionIn Vitro

While a number of new compounds derived from Ataluren and compound no. 2were shown to increase NF-kB reporter activity, it was next investigatedwhether they were capable of inducing SOD2 mRNA expression in vitro tothe same extent as the original compounds, no. 1 and no. 2. It was foundthat all compounds tested (FIG. 5 ) increased SOD2 mRNA expression,similar to the original compounds (2 fold, FIG. 1A-D). Whether these andother compounds are capable of inducing SOD2 mRNA and protein activityin vitro and in vivo, in addition to their ability to protect neuronsfrom hydrogen peroxide or glutamate-induced cell death (as in Carri etal. (2015) Frontiers in cellular neuroscience 9:41) and dysfunction/celldeath in the SOD1 G93A transgenic mouse model will also be evaluated.

b. The P65 Subunit of NF-κB as a Putative Direct Target of NovelCompounds

Regarding the potential targets of these molecules, computationalmolecular docking experiments indicated that the compounds could beenhancing NF-κB activity by binding to the p65 subunit (Writing et al.(2017) The Lancet Neurology 16(7):505-12). The ability of compound no. 1and compound no. 2 to interact with the p65/P50 region, the proposedtarget, were modeled using Induced Fit Docking approach fromSchrödinger®. Small molecules were docked to crystal structures ofp65/P50 heterodimers (PDB ID 1VKX, 1LE9, and 1NFI). SiteMap fromSchrödinger® and results from previous modeling study (FIG. 6 )(Manuvakhova et al. (2011) Journal of neuroscience research 89(1):58-72)were used to predict potential binding sites. Both compounds demonstratecomplementarity of polarity and shape with the surrounding residues,implying an ability to bind to the p65 region. Biolayer inferometry(BLI) studies will be performed to determine whether these compoundsbind directly to p65.

6. Characterization of 2,5-Aryl-Thiazole Analogs

A list of compounds evaluated for activity is shown in Table 2 below. Anexemplary dose response curve for compound nos. 33 and 3 are shown inFIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

TABLE 2 Purity (HPLC or MS (M No. Structure LCMS) or M + H) EC₅₀ E_(max) 1 22818

98 346   0.5 26  2 22819

100 269.1  0.21 40  3 36219

100 315.0  (M + H) 0.84 23.15  4 37310

96.2 314.05 2.96 27.76  5 37311

99.6 314.05 1.77 30.47  6 37312

100 296.06 0.85 31.50  7 37837

96.6 310.07 0.68 16.85  8 37314

100 314.05 4.91 22.95  9 37325

100 314.05 1.32 20.68 10 37313

100 270.06 1.17 33.54 11 37303

97.5 328.06 3.71 15.33 12 37382

96.9 300.07 2.91 25.12 13 38352

95.4 314.08 4.79 14.89 14 38353

99.2 286.05 4.53 35.78 15 38465

96.1 300.07 1.10 13.68 16 38476

97.2 338.04 9.35 16.03 17 38478

98.7 304.02 >10 14.50 18 38479

96.8 288.05 5.87 26.82 19 38470

95.3 306.04 >10 18.48 20 38879

99.02 341.09 3.75 27.58 21 38866

95.1 328.10 >10 18.91 22 38693

96.6 299.08 4.79 20.3 23 38869

96.2 299.08 36.24 30.92 24 38872

98.0 368.06 >10 — 25 38477

100 295.05 >10 — 26 38468

98.8 338.05 >10 — 27 38469

99.7 295.05 >10 — 28 38350

96.2 353.09 Inactive — 29 38471

100 337.98 >10 — 30 38349

97.7 313.06 Inactive — 31 38876

95.3 352.07 Inactive — 32 37327

100 314.05 1.20 22.26 33 36218

95.2 300.0 6.18 17.37 34 37306

100 299.04 5.32 36.8 36 37307

100 299.04 7.91 37.42 37 37309

100 299.04 0.74 28 38 37381

100 299.04 5.84 7.36 39 37308

100 255.05 14.57 49.69 40 37302

100 327.07 17.81 12.03 41 37304

100 327.07 14.41 8.9 42 37305

100 327.07 7.73 22.55 43 38466 (a)

98.6 288.05 Inactive — 44

— — — —

H. Prophetic Examples

1. In Vivo PK Assay

The experiments will involve the administration of compounds to 5-6 weekold CD1 male mice. Mice are dosed by either a 1 mg/kg IV bolus or 5mg/kg oral gavage. Blood samples are collected by cardiac puncture at 0,0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hrs. There will be three mice pertime point. Plasma concentration over time will be determined by LC/MSfrom which the standard PK parameters of clearance, volume ofdistribution, t_(1/2) and % F can be derived using WinNoLin software(Pharsight Inc.). This will require a total of 60 mice per compound.Plasma will be analyzed by reverse phase chromatography with MS/MSdetection operating in the positive ion mode using multiple reactionmonitoring using an internal standard and Applied Biosystems Analyst 1.4software. Peak time (when maximum plasma drug concentration occurs),peak drug level [approximate maximum concentrations of drug in plasma(C_(max))] and tin for drug elimination will be estimated for eachtested compound. Bioavailability (F) will be calculated from the ratioof AUC_(PO)/AUC_(IV) and expressed as a percentage. To determine levelsin brain, six additional mice will be dosed with 1 mg/kg I.V. andsacrificed at 0.25 and 1 hr. Brain and spinal cord samples will becollected at these two time points, quick frozen in an ice box and keptat −75±15° C. All samples will be weighed and homogenized with phosphatebuffered saline (PBS) by brain weight (g) to PBS volume (mL) ratio 1:3before analysis. The actual concentration is the detected valuemultiplied by the dilution factor.

2. In Vitro ADME Assay

A standard panel of in vitro ADME assays will be utilized to assessdrug-like properties of compounds and to inform subsequent in vivo PKstudies. These assays include: (a) Permeability: MDCK (Madin DarbyCanine Kidney) cells transfected with the MDR1 gene encoding for themulti-drug resistant transporter (Pgp) will be utilized to determine acompound's ability to permeate the membrane in apical to basolateral(A-B) and basolateral to apical (B-A) directions. The derived apparentpermeability coefficient (Papp) provides an estimate of passivepermeability; a ratio of Papp in the B-A/A-B direction gives an estimateof transporter efflux; (b) Solubility: Kinetic solubility is animportant parameter for accurate determinations of the dose response.This is estimated using the shake flask method with a μSol Explorer(PION, Billerica, Mass.) at pH 7.4. Compounds are added as a DMSOsolution to buffer. The average of two determinations at pH 7.4 will bereported. Solubility at pH 7.4 is relevant for in vitro assays; (c)Metabolic Stability: The potential for a high metabolic clearancecompound is estimated using a liver microsome assay. The compounds areincubated in human and mouse liver microsomes with the co-factor NADPHwhich has oxidative, esterase and protease metabolic activity. Thedisappearance of the parent molecule is measured by liquidchromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) detection. Stability of theparent compound is reported as half-life.

3. Biolayer Interferometry (BLI)

To determine whether the new and previously identified compounds binddirectly to p65 or other members of the NF-κB complex, BLI will be used.The compounds will be evaluated for binding affinity to recombinant p65by BLI, by measuring the changes in association rate with increasingconcentration of the molecules. BLI studies will be performed on anOctetRed (Pall ForteBio) with anti-penta-His labeled dip-and-readbiosensors. Recombinant p65 (Aero Biosystems) will be loaded onto thebiosensors at a concentration of 8 μg/mL. Loading will be done for 300seconds, followed by a baseline reading then an association reading for300 seconds followed by a 600-second dissociation reading. Amounts ofeach compound will range in concentration from 2 μM to 0.024 μM in 3:1serial dilutions for initial binding experiments and 120-1.25 μM forinhibition studies. Binding data will be analyzed using the Octetsoftware analysis system. For inhibition studies, peptide concentrationwill be varied while protein concentration will be held constant. BLIallows for a calculation of binding coefficients by measuring thedifference in interference signal with and without bound ligand.Validation of the system will be done by determining the bindingcoefficient of recombinant p65 with candidate compounds. His-p65 will beimmobilized on an anti-His biosensor at a fixed concentration.

4. SOD Assay

Superoxide dismutase activity will be evaluated in brain, spinal cord,serum, and cell culture using the SOD activity assay kit from CaymanChemical (Ann Arbor, Mich.).

5. Docking Studies

The docking of compounds to p65 will be predicted as reported in(Manuvakhova et al. (2011) Journal of neuroscience research 89(1):58-72.PubMed PMID: 21046675. Pubmed Central PMCID: 3280078). Compounds will beprepared using LigPrep (Schrödinger®) and docked to mouse and human P65and P50 using the induced-fit docking (IFD) protocol implemented inSchrödinger small molecule discovery suite (version 2015). Targets fordocking are prepared from available crystal structures (1VKX for mouseP65, 1LE9 for mouse P50, and 3GUT for human P65 and P50). Binding sitesare defined based on previous study (Manuvakhova et al. (2011) Journalof neuroscience research 89(1):58-72. PubMed PMID: 21046675. PubmedCentral PMCID: 3280078) and prediction from SiteMap (Schrödinger®). Bothvirtual binding modes and IFD scores were examined.

6. ALS Model, Genotyping, and Mouse Colony Maintenance

Wildtype mice (background matched to G93A transgenic line) for targetengagement studies will be purchased from JAX 2-4 weeks beforeinitiation of the study. Male SOD1 G93A transgenic mice (C57BL/6background; JAX: 004435) will be purchased from JAX and bred withwildtype females (trio breeding) to produce experimental mice(transgenics and littermate controls). All experiments will involveequal numbers of males and females. Offspring will be genotyped withassistance by Dr. Cat Lutz (JAX) to evaluate transgene copy number (andavoid use of mice which have reduced copy number below 20). Females willbe replaced after giving birth to 3-4 litters.

7. SH-SY5Y, NSC-34, THP-1, Primary Neuronal, and Primary AstrocyteCultures

SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells (ATCC) will be cultured as previouslydescribed (Cowell et al. (2009) Biochemical and biophysical researchcommunications 379(2):578-82. PubMed PMID: 19118529. Pubmed CentralPMCID: 2656381) and the ability of compounds to protect them fromhydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity will be determined by MTT viabilityassays (24 hours post-treatment) and Western blotting for activatedcaspase 3 (6 hours post-treatment). Cultures will be treated withdifferent doses of the compounds to determine the EC₅₀ forneuroprotection for each compound; parallel cultures will be treated forq-RT-PCR analysis of SOD2 mRNA expression to determine the extent oftarget engagement required for neuroprotection. Mouse primary neuronalcultures will be prepared from embryonic day 18 mice, cultured oncoverslips or in 48/96 well plates for immunofluorescence/q-RT-PCR orcell viability assays, respectively. Vulnerability to glutamate orhydrogen peroxide in the presence of the compounds will be assessed withthe MTT assay, and oxidative stress and mitochondrial depolarizationwill be visualized and quantified as in (Berent-Spillson and Russell(2007) Journal of neurochemistry 101(2): 342-54. PubMed PMID: 17402968).Induction of SOD2 mRNA and protein will be assessed using q-RT-PCR andWestern blotting. Blockade of caspase 3 activation will be assessed withimmunofluorescence. The identity of cell types expressing SOD2 will bedetermined using double-labeling immunofluorescence with markers forexcitatory (CaMKII) or inhibitory neurons (GAD67). The monocytic cellline (THP-1) or primary astrocyte cultures will be dosed with differentconcentrations of the compounds to determine whether they cause p65nuclear translocation (immunofluorescence) or pro-inflammatory cytokineexpression (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β). All cell culture experiments will beperformed in triplicate. RT-PCR experiments will be performed withsample sizes of 6-8/group, and the analysis of immunocytochemistry andmitochondrial/oxidative stress experiments will include >20 cells percondition (relative intensity measurements using Image J). Statisticswill be performed using Prism, with initial analysis by 2-way ANOVA andpost-hoc two-tailed t-tests, if data is distributed in a normal fashion.If data are not normally distributed, a non-parametric test(Kruskal-Wallis) will be performed.

8. Western Blotting

Protein content in cell culture and brain will be semi-quantitativelyassessed with antibodies raised against SOD2 (Abeam), activated caspase3 (Cell Signaling) using secondary antibodies conjugated to infraredfluorophores (Invitrogen) and detected using the ChemiDocMP imagingsystem.

9. SM-FISH

Brain and lumbar spinal cord will be dissected rapidly on ice and frozenwith powdered dry ice and stored at −80° C. for sectioning on acryostat. Tissue sections (30 μm) will be collected on charged slidesand returned to −80° C. until use. mRNA will be localized to specificcell types using multiplex single-molecule fluorescent in situhybridization (SM-FISH, RNAscope; ACDbio, Newark, Calif.) and quantifiedwith Image J, with normalization to same-cell actin beta expression. Toidentify the cellular location of expression, probes for cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT; motor neurons) or post-hoc immunostaining forglial fibriallary acidic protein (GFAP; Sigma; astrocytes) or Iba-1(DAKO; microglia) will be used. Inventoried SM-FISH probes will bepurchased from ACD-BIO for SOD2, p65, ChAT, and BDNF exon 9 (as anotherNF-kB-dependent gene). The percentage of ChAT, GFAP, or Iba-1-positivecell bodies occupied by SM-FISH SOD2 signal will be normalized to theamount of signal for actin β in the same cell, with the analysis of >100cells in the ventral horn of six sections of lumbar spinal cord (n=8mice/group).

10. NMJ Analysis

Fresh mount neuromuscular junctions will be isolated from tibialisanterior (TA) muscle (nerve and associated muscle) and drop-fixed in 4%paraformaldehyde as in Si et al. (2015) PloS one 10(9):e0138425. PubMedPMID: 26375954. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4574401; FIG. 8 ). The extent ofcolocalization of synaptic markers (synapsin, neurofilament) withfluorescently-tagged bungarotoxin will indicate the integrity of the NMJ(Chen et al. (2009) The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal ofthe Society for Neuroscience 29(35): 10909-19. PubMed PMID: 19726649.Pubmed Central PMCID: 2766780). Primary antibodies include theneurofilament sampler kit #9781 and synapsin 1/D12G5, Cell SignalingTechnology, Danvers, Mass., USA, and fluorescently tagged secondaryantibodies from Invitrogen. Preparation of coverslips for confocalmicroscopy requires ProLong Diamond Antifade Mountant with DAPI(Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg., USA). Z-stacks will be collected at0.4 μm throughout the entirety of the NMJ using a Leica TCS-SP5laser-scanning confocal microscope and brightness will be adjusted foreach NMJ individually to such that pixel intensity, as observed usingthe Leica LASAF software, does not surpass saturation. Qualitativeanalysis will be performed as described in (Vaden et al. (2015)Frontiers in molecular neuroscience 8:11. PubMed PMID: 25954152. PubmedCentral PMCID: 4407586). NMJ can be qualitatively assessed for terminalswelling and sprouting and quantified by percent total. Endplate areacan be determined by tracing the circumference of α-bungarotoxinimmunoreactivity and computing area via ImageJ analysis (NIH, Bethesda,Md., USA). Additionally, innervation of the NMJ will be categorized ascomplete, partial or denervated by whether synaptic markers are presentat sites of α-bungarotoxin immunoreactivity throughout the entirety ofthe Z-stack as depicted in (Martin et al. (2015) Journal of visualizedexperiments: JoVE 25(99): e52605. PubMed PMID: 26066371. Pubmed CentralPMCID: 4542903).

11. Flow Cytometry

To investigate whether the compounds affect the inflammatory state ofperipheral blood leukocytes, multi-parameter flow cytometry will be usedon peripheral blood cells isolated from trunk blood collected at thetime of decapitation for the collections of brain and spinal cordtissue. Lineage marker analysis will be used to define thematuration/activation state and relative abundance of various cellpopulations, in addition to evaluating the expression of thepro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β (Periasamy et al.(2016) PLoS pathogens 12(3):e1005517. PubMed PMID: 27015566. PubmedCentral PMCID: 4807818). An aliquot of blood/peripheral leukocytes willbe collected for evaluation of SOD2 mRNA expression.

12. Immunofluorescence/Confocal Microscopy

Mice will be intracardially perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS,and brain, spinal cord, and sciatic nerves will be removed andpost-fixed overnight before cryopreserving and freezing for sectioningon a sliding microtome (brain, spinal cord) or vibratome (sciaticnerve). Next, it will be determined whether the compounds increase thetranslocation or abundance of the NF-κB subunit p65 in the nucleus ofmotor neurons and/or other cells with double-labeling immunofluorescentlabeling with antibodies raised against ChAT, GFAP, or Iba-1 (Philipsand Rothstein (2015) Current protocols in pharmacology 69:5, 67:1-21.PubMed PMID: 26344214. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4562058).

13. Motor Neuron Stereology

Lumbar motor neurons will be quantified using stereology, as in Nardo etal. (2016) Brain pathology 26(2):237-47. PubMed PMID: 26780365, inserial sections stained with cresyl violet or ChAT, to avoid bias fromchanges in the expression of ChAT.

14. Sciatic Nerve Electron Microscopy (EM)

Sciatic nerves will be removed from fixed mice (above) and drop-fixedovernight in 1% glutaraldehyde and 4% paraformaldehyde before embedding,thin sectioning, staining, and imaging for EM (Vaden et al. (2015)Frontiers in molecular neuroscience 8:11. PubMed PMID: 25954152. PubmedCentral PMCID: 4407586). G-ratios will be calculated to determinewhether demyelination is prevented by the compounds (Si et al. (2014)Annals of clinical and translational neurology 1(10):778-87. PubMedPMID: 25493269. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4241805).

15. CMAP

CMAP measures will be performed once, under isoflurane anesthesia, priorto death as in (Xia et al. (2010) Muscle & nerve 41(6):850-6. PubMedPMID: 20151466; Bogdanik et al. (2015) Proceedings of the NationalAcademy of Sciences of the United States of America 112(43):E5863-72.PubMed PMID: 26460027. Pubmed Central PMCID: 4629342). Sciatic nervewill be stimulated either distal or proximal to the recording site(ankle), and amplitude will be measured and conduction velocitycalculated. Comparison groups will be SOD1 G93A mutant mice andlittermate controls (Wilcoxon's rank sum test for non-parametricvariables, with significance set at P<0.05). A Pearson's chi-square testwas used to determine significance between categorical variables, withsignificance set at P<0.05.

16. Motor Behavioral Analyses

General neurological status will be evaluated using the scoring systemused for the SOD1 G93A mouse model (“Working with ALS mice: JAXhandbook”), with the maximum score of 4 being assigned when the mouse isincapable of righting itself after 15-30 seconds (at which point themouse is euthanized). Progression of decline will be monitored byweighing mice weekly and assessing performance on rotarod after theinitial training period (day 50, prior to disease onset). Ambulation andbalance will also be assessed with open field and horizontal ladderanalyses, respectively (14,15), and overall gait and balance will beassessed with a scoring system (Guyenet et al. (2010) Journal ofvisualized experiments: JoVE 21(39). PubMed PMID: 20495529. PubmedCentral PMCID: 3121238).

17. Description of Approach to Assess In Vivo Target Engagement

a. Assessment of Compound Binding to P65 In Vitro.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is predicted that these novelcompounds activate NF-kB-dependent transcription of SOD2 via bindingdirectly to p65. To this end, it will be determined whether thesecompounds bind directly to p65 using biolayer inferometry. However,since it is not possible to evaluate compound binding to p65 in vivo,SOD2 expression and activity will be used as a proxy for targetengagement.

18. Description of Preclinical Animal Model to Assess In Vivo Efficacy

a. Human SOD1G93A Transgenic Mouse Model

Based on the proposed mechanism of action of the novel compounds and thepilot data suggesting potential neuroprotection in mice expressing thehuman SOD1 G93A mutant transgene, the efficacy of novel compounds willbe assessed in this mouse model. A variety of other factors have alsoinformed this decision. This model is the most widely characterizedmouse model for ALS (Nardo et al. (2016) Brain pathology 26(2):237-47;Philips and Rothstein (2015) Current protocols in pharmacology PubMedPMID: 26344214), with recent data (Si et al. (2014) Annals of clinicaland translational neurology 1(10):778-87; Si et al. (2015) PloS one10(9):e0138425) demonstrating progressive motor dysfunction and death inboth males and females on the C57Bl/6 congenic background (JAX #004435;FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B) and novel readouts of early disease (FIG. 9C andFIG. 9D). Furthermore, it has been determined that the evaluation ofcompound muscle action potential (CMAP) is a good measure of earlyperipheral nerve dysfunction in the SOD1 G93A transgenic mouse line(Melanie Leitner PDSM, Ph.D.; Cathleen Lutz, Ph.D. Working with ALSMice: Guidelines for preclinical testing & colony management. Cambridge,Mass.: Prize4Life; 2009) (FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B). Without wishing to bebound by theory, it is predicted that compounds which show efficacy inthese models will be effective in other models involving motor neurondysfunction and loss, such as the C9ORF72 mutant mouse line and iPSCmodels of ALS.

Referring to FIG. 9A-D, female and male SOD1 G93A mice on the C57BL/6background show similar decline in survival (FIG. 9A), performance onthe rotarod (test of motor function), and weight (FIG. 9B). As early as80 days prior to death and 70 days prior to weight loss and motorimpairment, SOD1 G93A mice show an increase in muscle expression ofSMAD8 (FIG. 9C) and TGF-β1 mRNA (FIG. 9D), markers of cellular stress(n=14 males, 14 females; *p<0.05, **p<0.005, ***p<0.0005),****p<0.00005; 2-way ANOVA, post-hoc t-test).

Referring to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, male SOD1 G93A mice on the mixedSJL/C57BL/6 background show progressive decline in the amplitude ofcompound action potentials in the sciatic nerve and a loss of responseto nerve stimulation with respect to age-matched littermate controls(NCAR). (n=12-14, two-way ANOVA (for genotype/time) with Sidakmulticomparison test, *: p<0.05, ***: p<0.001.

b. SOD2 Expression and Activity as a Proxy and Biomarker for TargetEngagement

SOD2 mRNA expression will be measured in brain and spinal cord tissuehomogenates with q-RT-PCR and at a single-cell level withsingle-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (SM-FISH, FIG. 11 ),with a particular focus on motor neurons of the ventral spinal cord andlayer V projection neurons of the motor cortex. Protein expression willbe evaluated with Western blot and double-labeling fluorescencemicroscopy, and SOD activity will be measured in spinal cord and brainhomogenates, with liver as a comparison tissue. Peripheral leukocyteswill also be isolated from blood and SOD2 mRNA and protein expressionwill be measured, to determine whether these measures can be used asperipheral biomarkers of target engagement.

Referring to FIG. 11 , SOD2 mRNA will be quantified selectively in motorneurons and other vulnerable neuronal populations (layer V corticalpyramidal neurons) using SM-FISH in mice treated with differentcompounds.

19. Testing of Target Engagement and Efficacy of Initial Novel Compoundsin the SOD1G93A Transgenic Mouse Line

a. Target Engagement

The ability of compound nos. 1 and 2 to increase SOD2 expression in mice(daily I.P. injections; 24/group: 12 M, 12 F; 4 time points: 6 hours, 24hours, 2 weeks, 6 weeks; FIG. 12 ) will be tested. Drug-induced SOD2expression will be evaluated in tissue homogenates (q-RT-PCR, Westernblotting, SOD activity; n=8/group) and in a cell-specific manner(single-molecule in situ hybridization, double-labelingimmunofluorescence; n=8/group) in wildtype mice. Tissue levels ofcytokines will be evaluated with q-RT-PCR and ELISA, and gene expressionand inflammatory profile will be evaluated in circulating leukocytes todetermine whether SOD2 expression can be a peripheral readout of targetengagement (n=8/group). If cytokine expression is detected, leukocyteinfiltration into the CNS will be evaluated using cell-specific markersfor different leukocyte populations. Then, it will be determined whetherthis is associated with microglial and astrocyte activation (IBA-1 andGFAP immunostaining, respectively).

b. Breeding and Maintenance of the SOD1G93A Transgenic Mouse Colony

Breeders will be purchased from JAX for trio breeding (one transgenicmale per two wildtype females). Breeders will be replaced after 9-12months (or sooner, depending on productivity). All offspring will begenotyped using a specific genotyping protocol from JAX that allows forthe estimation of transgene copy number. See, e.g., Scott et al. (2008)Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: official publication of the WorldFederation of Neurology Research Group on Motor Neuron Diseases9(1):4-15 and Gurney et al. (1994) Science 264(5166): 1772-5.

c. Determination of Progression of Symptoms in SOD1G93A Colony

The treatment paradigm that is most likely to be translatable to humansis one that is initiated after the initial onset of measurable symptomsbut not too late for intervention. While previous studies have shownchanges in muscle biomarkers (SMAD8 and TGF-1β) and reduction in CMAPamplitude between 60 and 70 days of age (C57BL/6 background), thisfinding will initially be confirmed in one cohort of SOD1 G93A mice (12M, 12 F; transgenic vs. wildtype littermates). Gross motor behaviorassessments will be performed using previously published methods(Guyenet et al. (2010) Journal of visualized experiments: JoVE 21(39)).Balance and gait will be evaluated three times per week starting at day50, with CMAP evaluation to be performed once motor impairment isdistinguishable from age-matched littermate controls. The goal for thisexperiment is to identify two time points for treatment initiation:prior to onset of symptoms and at the time of symptom emergence.

d. Functional Engagement/Efficacy with Drug Treatment Prior to, or atthe Time of, Symptom Onset

The compound that shows the higher induction of SOD2 expression in theabsence of inflammation will be chosen for testing in the SOD1 G93Atransgenic mouse line (FIG. 13 ). Treatment will be initiated before orat the emergence of symptoms (between P60 and P80, as determined by theinitial test cohort), with daily I.P. injection (vehicle, 20, or 40mg/kg compound). Litermate controls or SOD1 G93A transgenic mice(24/group, 12 M, 12 F) will be treated with vehicle, low dose, or highdose compound for behavioral (rotarod) and survival analysis(Kaplan-Meier curve). A second cohort will be treated similarly butsacrificed when the control mice are in the third stage (score of3=“rigid paralysis or minimal joint movement, foot not being used forgenerating forward motion” from “Working with ALS mice” (Melanie LeitnerPDSM, Ph.D.; Cathleen Lutz, Ph.D. Working with ALS Mice: Guidelines forpreclinical testing & colony management. Cambridge, Mass.: Prize4Life;2009); for CMAP analysis, regional and cell-specific gene expressionanalyses (SOD2 in brain and spinal cord, SMAD/TGF-β in muscle),neuromuscular junction analysis, sciatic nerve electron microscopy, flowcytometry, and stereology.

20. Identification of Novel Compounds that Increase SOD2 Expression InVitro and In Vivo and Test Whether the Lead Compound can Prevent and/orSlow the Progression of Disease in the SOD1G93A Transgenic Mouse Line

a. Identification of Novel Compounds Based on the New Series and Testtheir Activity in the NL-κB High Throughput Screen Assay

In FIG. 14 , a compound progression that will be used to prioritizecompounds and drive the program is outlined. The key attributes of thelead compounds will be novelty and demonstrated structure-activityrelationships and potency (EC₅₀<100 nM) versus the primary NF-κB assay.The lead compounds will be optimized via targeted chemical modificationsaimed at improving both activity and drug-like properties.

All newly synthesized compounds will be fully characterized usingstandard spectroscopic and chromatographic tools (HPLC, LC/MS, NMR, MS,and elemental analysis, as appropriate). Final products will be >98%pure, with no single impurity >0.5%.

b. Determine Permeability in MDR/MDCK Cells, SOD2 Expression andActivity, and Neuroprotective Efficacy In Vitro

Appropriate physical chemical properties (solubility and chemicalstability), cell permeability, plasma protein binding and CYP inhibition(3A4, 2D6, 2C9) will be determined for key compounds. Then, thelikelihood that compounds will cross the blood brain barrier will bepredicted using MDCK (Madin Darby Canine Kidney) cells transfected withthe mdr1 gene (for the multi-drug resistant transporter Pgp). Subsequentexperiments will investigate whether the compounds can induce SOD2expression at the mRNA and protein levels in human SH-SY5Y, mouseNSC-34, and mouse primary cortical cultures. The compounds that induceSOD2 expression will be tested for their ability to protect neurons fromhydrogen-peroxide or glutamate-induced cell death (Cowell et al. (2009)Biochemical and biophysical research communications 379(2):578-82) andwhether these compounds prevent the depolarization of mitochondriaassociated with an increase in production of ROS (see methods). In cellcultures, the location of p65 will also be evaluated, as previousstudies indicate that some of the drugs may influence gene expression byincreasing p65 translocation (Writing and Edaravone (2017) The LancetNeurology 16(7):505-12). At this point, a separate set of studies willuse q-RT-PCR to test whether the neuroprotective compounds inducepro-inflammatory genes in THP-1 monocyte-derived cells or in primaryastrocyte cultures.

c. Determine Bioavailability and CNS Levels of Top Compounds

Compounds which meet the established in vitro activity parameters willbe examined for oral bioavailability and CNS permeability [fractionabsorbed (% F)>25%, t_(1/2)>2 h](9) prior to advancing for in vivotesting in a mouse model. Plasma and drug concentration will bedetermined over the period of 24 hours by mass spectroscopy.

d. Target Engagement with Two Novel Compounds

Initially, the ability of two novel compounds chosen above to increaseSOD2 expression in mice will be tested (24/group: 12 M, 12 F; 4 timepoints: 6 hours, 24 hours, 2 weeks, 6 weeks). Compounds will bedelivered via oral gavage daily. Drug-induced SOD2 expression will beevaluated in tissue homogenates (q-RT-PCR, Western blotting; n=8/group)and in a cell-specific manner (single-molecule in situ hybridization,double-labeling immunofluorescence; n=8/group) in wildtype mice. Tissuelevels of cytokines will be evaluated with q-RT-PCR and ELISA, and geneexpression and inflammatory profile will be evaluated in circulatingleukocytes to determine whether SOD2 expression can be a peripheralreadout of target engagement (n=8/group).

e. Functional Engagement/Efficacy with Treatment Prior or at the Onsetof Symptoms in the SOD1 G93A Mouse Line

The compound that shows the higher induction of SOD2 expression in theabsence of inflammation will be chosen for testing in the SOD1 G93Atransgenic mouse line. Treatment will be initiated prior to or after theemergence of symptoms. The formulation used for these studies will bethe same as those used for the bioavailability studies. For example,prior to initiating those studies a suitable formulation is determined.Examples include 5% DMSO/30% PEG 400/65% water for I.V. and 5% DMSO/30%PEG 400/65% water for P.O. Littermate controls or SOD1 G93A transgenicmice (24/group, 12 M, 12 F) will be treated with vehicle, low dose, orhigh dose compound for behavioral (rotarod) and survival analysis(Kaplan-Meier curve). A second cohort will be treated similarly butsacrificed when the control mice are in the third stage (20) for CMAPanalysis, regional and cell-specific gene expression analyses,neuromuscular junction analysis, sciatic nerve electron microscopy, flowcytometry, and stereology.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Otherembodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound having a structure represented by aformula:

wherein Ar¹ is selected from monocyclic aryl and pyridinyl, and issubstituted with 0, 1, or 2 groups independently selected from halogen,—CN, —NH₂, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylamino, and (C1-C4)(C1-C4) dialkylamino, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1,wherein Ar¹ is monocyclic aryl substituted with 0 additional groups. 3.The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of thecompound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.